October 8 – The owner of the Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna, Pavlin Nikolov, has withdrawn from the club for the second time in a month and pulled all his financing .
Nikolov came into conflict with the team’s fans and threatened to leave Spartak if the supporters of the club from Varna did not stop interfering in the club’s affairs.
The ultras of Spartak were unhappy with the appointment of Kyriakos Georgiou as the team’s head coach and even attacked him at one of the team’s training sessions. Georgiou left at the end of September.
Nikolov said he would support the team for Spartak’s last two games before the international break, then stop funding and leave the club.
On Monday, Nikolov officially announced that he is stepping down from the management of Spartak Varna.
“Thanks to the ‘falcons’ for the men’s game and victory! I am proud of the team that my team and I have built! As I stated after these two matches, I am retiring from the management and financing of the club. I am leaving because vandalism and violence have no place not only in sports but especially in society. I admit, I couldn’t handle it,” said Nikolov in a statement.
“During these 10 days, we worked hard together with members of the Board of Directors and some of the organized fans who distanced themselves from the provocation to find people to continue the Spartak cause.
“The new executive director Ivan Kirilov Ivanov will aim to negotiate and select the next sponsors to commit to funding the club as soon as possible. Anyone who has the opportunity and desire to order and choose the best for the future of FC Spartak Varna.
“For this purpose, Ivan Kirilov will convene a general meeting to decide on the continuation of the club’s activities,” said Nikolov.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1735113581labto1735113581ofdlr1735113581owedi1735113581sni@o1735113581fni1735113581