The official statement of Botev Plovdiv football club reveals a massive scandal during a championship match that puts the integrity of Bulgarian football into question. The management categorically condemns the actions of the referee brigade led by the main referee Mariyan Grebencharski.
From the initial minutes of the match, the first signs of biased treatment were noticed. Defender Baloynis received a yellow card for an extremely superficial contact, which, accompanied by an obvious simulation by a Black Sea player, created initial tension.
The drastic development continued with a second card for Minkov – again with minimal contact and theatrical behavior by the home team. Within less than ten minutes, both wing defenders were practically taken out of the game, which completely disrupted the team's tactical balance.
The subsequent refereeing went beyond any boundaries of sports ethics. Every controversial situation was interpreted exclusively in favor of Black Sea, as if the team had invisible privileges. The most scandalous moment was the awarding of a penalty against Botev – a decision that cannot even be called questionable.
The paradox reached its peak when an obvious blow to Emil Martinov's head remained completely unnoticed – neither by the main referee nor by the VAR system. The club's management unambiguously defines what happened as a complete failure of sports justice.
In the official statement, signed by Iliyan Filipov and the club management, sharp criticism is directed at the Bulgarian Football Union. They insist on accountability for the referees and transparency in refereeing decisions, which currently resemble a staged performance more than a sporting competition.
Botev Plovdiv declares a categorical position to continue the fight against systemic injustice, stating that silence is not an option. The club calls for immediate changes that will restore honor and dignity to football events.