Scandals and Sanctions: BFS Imposes Heavy Fines on Eight Clubs After Third Round

Another round of the efbet First League championship turned into a true legal labyrinth after the decisions of the Disciplinary Commission of the Bulgarian Football Union. Eight out of 16 clubs were punished for various manifestations of aggression and unsportsmanlike behavior.

The four leading Bulgarian teams received the heaviest financial sanctions. Botev (Plovdiv) and CSKA (Sofia) were fined 4,300 leva each, Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) – 3,300 leva, and Levski – 2,300 leva. In addition to monetary penalties, some clubs like Botev (Vratsa) and CSKA are obliged to restore damages to stadiums.

Among the specific violations that provoked the intervention of disciplinary bodies are unauthorized use of pyrotechnics, throwing objects onto the field, offensive chanting, and attempts to enter the playing area.

The official documents of the BFU meticulously detail the punishments for each individual club. For example, PFC "Lokomotiv" Plovdiv received a total fine of 2,300 leva for using flares that even caused the game to be stopped. CSKA (Sofia) was sanctioned with 2,000 leva for throwing objects and obscene chanting.

An interesting point is that the penalties are imposed based on reports from delegates who monitor order and compliance with sports rules during matches. The documents cite specific articles from the BFU Disciplinary Regulations for 2025/2026.

In addition to First League clubs, teams from Second League also received sanctions. For example, OFK "Lokomotiv" Gorna Oryahovitsa was fined 500 leva for igniting firecrackers, and PFC "Pirin" Blagoevgrad – 900 leva for using flares and offensive chanting.

Penalties range from financial sanctions to warnings of home game deprivation. Such is the case with PFC "Cherno More" Varna, which received a warning for audience entering the field.

Among individual penalties are suspensions of competitive rights for players such as Juan Miguel Carrion from CSKA 1948, Robin Albert Schuten from Septemvri, and Bozhidar Katsarov from Lokomotiv Sofia.

The decisions of the Disciplinary Commission are final and cannot be appealed, which puts the clubs before a fait accompli. They will have to pay the fines and take internal measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This series of sanctions clearly shows that Bulgarian football continues to struggle with manifestations of aggression and bad behavior, both among fans and players themselves. The BFU demonstrates a firm position on preventing such violations.