By Alexander Krassimirov
July 28 – Bulgaria’s richest man, Vasil Bozhkov (pictured), has registered a new company called ‘CSKA Sofia’, in the Bulgarian Commercial Register. Chairman of the company is Tsvetomir Naydenov, who owns bookmaker Efbet. Bozhkov and his son Anton are members of the Board.
The news has sparked fears that a new club using the old name could be formed and entered into the league using Bozhkov’s money.
The capital in CSKA Sofia is BGN 50 000 (€25 000), and is divided into shares of BGN 1 (€ 0,50). The sole shareholder ii the company is Nove Holding, which is owned by Bozhkov.
Bozhkov’s office however was quick to say that the new company will not be operational and will not actively participate in the Bulgarian leagues. The new company was registered some time ago, when Bozhkov decided to step in to save the club which subsequently lost its license. He didn’t complete the takeover.
“Registration was made long time ago, even a month ago, it was about to save the team. Afterwards he (Vasil Bozhkov) announced his official position. The company exists, but will not be active,” said Bozhkov’s press office.
CSKA, which is the most decorated club in Bulgaria, failed to get a license to play because of their huge tax debts, as well as money owed to former players and managers. Upon registration of a new company the club would have started from scratch in the regional leagues where it would forgo its debts, but at the same time would lose all the titles and trophies won in its 67-year history.
Ultimately, the running of CSKA was taken over by another influential Bulgarian businessman Grisha Ganchev, who had been funding rival club Litex Lovech.
Ganchev will partner with Julian Indzhov who at the moment owns the biggest stake in the club. Next season the club will play in the third tier of Bulgarian football – V grupa – which is an amateur division.
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