Cash-strapped Botev Plovdiv face an uncertain future after 16 players asked the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) for free transfers over unpaid wages and bonuses. It appears likely the BFU will uphold the claim after Botev, the country's oldest club, said they had breached contracts by failing to pay players for several months.
A BFU official who declined to be identified told Reuters the top division's bottom club could face expulsion if they failed to pay recent taxes and fines imposed by the football authorities. "If the situation remains unchanged in the next couple of weeks, it's very possible the championship will restart with 15 teams (instead of 16)," said the official. The championship is scheduled to resume on February 26 after the winter break. Botev's players have yet to train this year due to angry protests from fans. Supporters did not allow three training sessions to go ahead this month and asked club president Dimitar Hristolov to leave.
The fans blame Hristolov for doing little to pull Botev out of their financial troubles and for obstructing several candidates interested in buying the club. Botev, who have won two league titles since being founded in 1912, have also had their water and electricity cut off because of unpaid bills.
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