site.btaStilyan Petrov, Dimitar Berbatov Lash Out at Bulgarian Football Union Leadership

Bulgarian football legends and former teammates Stiliyan Petrov and Dimitar Berbatov lashed out at the leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) in social media posts on Tuesday following Bulgaria's 1:2 loss to Montenegro, which compromised the country's chances of competing at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Petrov, who is also the record holder for the number of games played wearing the national jersey, believes that Bulgarian fans will not experience true enjoyment again as long as the current leadership is in charge. He writes: "Now we are about to change yet another coach. Once again, one leaves and the next one comes, and the management process and the actions of the governing bodies remain the same - outdated, incompetent, and compromised. Until these managers are kicked out and held accountable for all their governance failings, we will not feel that delight again."

On the “(R)evolution is here" page, which is the official platform of Berbatov's candidacy for BFU president, he asks why FIFA is not doing something about BFU president Borislav Mihaylov. Berbatov points to old accusations and suspicions against Mihaylov - of match-fixing, of racism during matches and of corruption - asking whether FIFA's non-intervention in this case suggests a double standard. "It appears that FIFA only reacts when dictated by broad public interest. This does not speak well for world football headquarters and the processes there.  As the BFU is a member of both FIFA and UEFA, we ask the same question of the European football association: 'UEFA, how big a scandal does a president of an Eastern European football federation have to get involved in to result in a sanction?", the page post reads.