October 22 – Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna have appealed to the country’s minister of finance, Temenuzhka Petkova, and the leader of the GERB political party, Boyko Borissov, president of the Bulgarian FA (BFU), for help in an attempt to save their professional license.
Spartak Varna’s participation in the efbet Liga, the top tier of Bulgarian football, are threatened due to debts to the National Revenue Agency (NRA). Just over a week ago, the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) warned Spartak Varna and second-division team Pirin Blagoevgrad that their licenses were at risk and set a deadline of October 21 for them to provide assurances that the debts had been rescheduled or they would lose their licenses.
Spartak’s management immediately announced a donation campaign aiming to raise BGN 1 million (€500,000). Although dozens of former footballers, coaches, club legends, and businessmen joined the campaign, the Varna club managed to collect only BGN 300,000 (€150,000).
Spartak Varna is still waiting on funds promised by the Varna Municipality to help with the debt.
“Today, we submitted all the documents required by the BFU licensing committee. We thank once again all the supporters, football people, and figures from across the country who joined the campaign, through which we have raised over BGN 300,000 so far. It continues in full swing, and we are motivated to collect the entire sum of BGN 1,000,000!,” said a Spartak statement.
“We expect the decision of the BFU licensing committee within days.
“Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems is the debt to the NRA, for which funds have been voted by the Varna Municipal Council. Although voted a month ago, the funds have not reached the club because the acting mayor has sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Finance and refuses to execute the payment until a statement is received from them.
“Thus, for a month we have been in a situation where there is a decision, but no execution. And this is the moment to turn to Mrs. Temenuzhka Petkova and Mr. Boyko Borissov, as the leader of the party the Minister of Finance belongs to, to assist with our case.”
The club pointed to its 107-year history, traditions, and fanbase, which is chipping in to meet the debt, as proof of the desire to keep the club in the top tier of Bulgarian football.
“We sincerely believe that the political will will be found to help our club, which will be able to receive the support voted by the Varna Municipal Council in the shortest possible time, thereby saving its license! Sports clubs should not become victims of political motives!” concluded the club statement.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at [email protected]