By Alexander Krassimirov
March 24 – The owner of Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv Tsvetan Vasilev (pictured) has withdrawn from the football club. The majority shareholder at the troubled Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB), is transferring his assets in Botev Plovdiv to fans group Association Botev.
Vasilev is wanted by the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office and is currently in Serbia, where he was arrested. He has donated 51% of his shareholding to the fans.
Vasilev said that he regretted that he was not able to complete his “job at Botev”. With his entry into the club there were ambitions for a major restructuring of the club, based around the core assets of its players and their value in the transfer markets.
The club had also negotiated the Hristo Botev stadium on concession for 35 years and announced plans to further invest BGN 20 million (€10 million). The collapse of the Corporate Commercial Bank has put an end to those plans with the removal of Vasilev’s ability to finance the club and his plans.
“In terms of the total attack aimed at discrediting me, every person, every company, even every idea and dream in any way connected with me, are damned, and vilified. Realizing all this and taking into account the realities, I decided that the best way to help the club at this stage is leaving everything in your hands. It sounds sad, but believe me, it is long contemplated and a very, very serious decision”, said Vasilev in a statement on his personal website.
“I am convinced that gaining control over your favorite club, you will find the best way with power, will and determination to exit the incredibly difficult situation
.
“But you must not give up, continue the fight. I will closely monitor events and if there is any discovered opportunity will continue to help any way I can. I am proud that, albeit briefly, I was part of the ‘Botev’ legend. Thank you for all the happy moments you delivered to me,” he concluded.
The president of Association Botev, Apostol Apostolov, said after the withdrawal of Vassilev, that the main goal facing the organisation is to find an investor. He said there was no concern for the future of Botev.
“Finding the investor can not happen for a day or two. I urge the fans and players should not worry about the future of Botev. We will solve tasks one by one. The club management works and I do not think we need to make any changes after the team goes well. The players perfectly perform their duties, for which we congratulate them. Our job is to ensure normal conditions for the development of the club. With the help of our fans will do it,” said Apostolov.
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