By Alexander Krassimirov
November 11 – Police in the Bulgarian town of Shumen have launched an investigation after a series of threats were made against the Bulgarian international football referee Stanislav Todorov (pictured). The referee lodged a complaint at the police station following the threats. Todorov was interviewed for an hour, and also informed the newspaper ’24 hours’ Daily. The police in Shumen have confirmed Todorov’s report of the incident but declined to give further details.
Last week, Todorov was in charge of the match between FC Cherno more and CSKA Sofia, which the hosts won 2:1.
After the match the referee was bombarded with criticism, and a day later the Referees Committee of the Bulgarian Football Union suspended him for an indefinite period.
People close to Todorov said that he received nearly 60 threats – most of them text messages sent to his mobile phone. Todorov, 37, born in Shumen, is married and has a 3- year-old son.
According to ’24 hours’ Daily, one of the leading newspapers in Bulgaria, Todorov was advised not to give any statements.
“In the coming days we will interview a lot of people who are suspected as authors of the threats,” said from the police.
The referee made a series of serious errors during the game between FC Cherno more and CSKA Sofia. Todorov gave a controversial penalty in favor of the hosts, who eventually won the match 2:1. It is yet not clear how long his suspension will remain in force.
Todorov has been a UEFA Category 1 referee since 2011.
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