site.btaBulgarian Football Union, Dimitar Berbatov Clash over Expulsion of Tens of Football Clubs

Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) and football legend and BFU presidential candidate Dimitar Berbatov clashed over the expulsion of tens of football clubs from the official football leagues. On August 21, Dimitar Berbatov held a press conference to blow the whistle about what he called "an unjustified purge" of clubs that support his BFU presidential bid. The same day, Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev said he would do everything possible to clarify the matter and the next day the BFU leadership issued a statement to dismiss Berbatov's accusations and say that the motives for the expulsion of the said clubs from the official football leagues were clear.

136 clubs kicked out

Berbatov told the press that 41 amateur football clubs have just been kicked out of all Bulgarian official leagues "without any reason", adding to a total of 136 clubs excluded by the institution in recent months. 

While the ousted clubs have the right to re-register and enter the leagues with new legal documents and boards, Berbatov believes that this is a scheme to deprive them of the right to vote at the next BFU presidential elections.

BFU regulations do not allow new football board members to participate in elections for the leadership of the headquarters before they are confirmed by Congress, which means that even if these clubs gain registration, they are little likely to get Congress approval on time for the vote for a BFU president.

"The motives [for the exclusion of the clubs] are defamation and generalities. In fact this is a dictatorship because they do not get even a basic opportunity to exercise their right to vote. And the clubs themselves are not even aware that they have been excluded. Some of them are finding it out much later," Berbatov noted.

Also on August 21, he held meetings with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev to brief them on the problems in Bulgarian football.

Minister Iliev said that he would request detailed information about the exclusion of the 136 football clubs from the Bulgarian Football Union. He added that he would take all measures allowed under his powers to shed light on the case and seek solutions. The issue has long been a focus of public interest and affects the development of both professional and youth football.

"Populism with ill-concealed elements of blind managerial ambition"

BFU's management issued an official position on Berbatov's accusations, calling them "populism with ill-concealed elements of blind managerial ambition" and describing him and his team as "the self-appointed champions of justice in Bulgarian football".

The BFU statement lists the reasons for the expulsion of clubs: non-participation in sporting activities, non-payment of membership fees, connected persons in the management, or systematic violation of the BFU's charter and regulations, including interference of outside individuals and organizations in the decision-making of a football club. 

It adds that clubs have the right to appeal to the next General Assembly and have their status reinstated on approval. The statement fails to address Berbatov's complaint that the expelled clubs would be unable to vote in the upcoming elections. 

The Union also dismissed the accusations that by excluding members it is banning children from playing football, pointing out that within a few months 66 clubs, most of them football academies with a focus on developing youth football, were admitted to the BFU.

In recent years, Bulgarian football has been entangled in the fight between BFU President Borislav Mihaylov and Dimitar Berbatov, his main opponent for the top position at BFU. Mihaylov has been the head of the BFU since 2005 and has no intention to withdraw, led by the belief that he pushes the sport ahead, while Berbatov claims to be the herald of change  that will bring the glorious football days of the past.

Mihaylov resigned temporarily in the autumn of 2019 amidst a scandal over racism during a Bulgaria-England match in 2019 after which then Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that his government did not want to work with him. In April 2021, Mihaylov withdrew his resignation and returned to his office.

An extraordinary congress was held on October 12, 2021, and Mihaylov was re-elected president of the BFU, controversially defeating Berbatov by a narrow margin. Berbatov lodged an appeal and took two cases to court, being convinced that the vote was manipulated.

On May 17, 2023, Berbatov said on Facebook that “in spite of misinformation spread in favour of the self-proclaimed leadership, there is no court decision legitimizing Mihaylov as BFU President.” On the same day, a lawyer who handles BFU’s legal affairs, told BTA that currently there is no court decision overturning the congressional decisions: "The elected BFU President, as well as the entire Executive Committee are absolutely legitimate and any speculations and misinformation on this issue should not be accepted and discussed", he added.

"The lawsuits we are taking against the current BFU leadership will probably find their resolutions in 2024. In our opinion, however, those 136 clubs expelled from the BFU will be followed by about 150 new ones. We know that there is a list of about 150 teams earmarked for exclusion. This will leave some 250 clubs in the ranks of the BFU, which will either be in support of Borislav Mihaylov, or will be afraid to speak out because they will see what has happened to their colleagues,”  Petar Velichkov - a former member of the BFU executive committee, who is currently supporting Berbatov's candidacy, said during the August 21 press conference in BTA.

Berbatov is determined to run again for the BFU presidency and while a new congress is not yet scheduled, his team expect it to be held before the end of 2024.