The President of the Bulgarian Football Union Georgi Ivanov gave an extensive interview for the programme "Arena Sport" on BNT, in which he spoke on a number of topics. In it he revealed about a large-scale joint project between the BFU and FIFA and UEFA.
"We have plans from the summer of next year to make a football academy, which FIFA and UEFA will help us to build. The main funding will come from these two organisations. We have absolutely no funding from the state. We might be the only ones in Europe who have no monetary help from the state," Ivanov was adamant.
He expressed his satisfaction with the way the gala evening "100 Years of Bulgarian Football" had gone, but did not hide his disappointment with some negative comments and reactions.
"It was a moment for history that was for the whole football community. The organisation was difficult, but we are happy with the way the event went - despite some negative comments and reactions. However, I am immensely disappointed that we have shifted the focus of the event itself to who is invited and who is not. The event itself was not organised to invite former players, but to take a step forward with our partners from FIFA, UEFA and all the other representatives of the European federations," said the BFU President.
Ivanov also commented on the words of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who said that at some point Bulgaria could host a major football forum. "The biggest problem in our country is infrastructure. If we manage to build stadiums, to create the infrastructure that is needed to host such a forum, it is quite possible that it will become a fact. But we need assistance from the state," Ivanov stressed once again.
Among other topics in the interview was the planned change in the administration of the championship. "There are meetings between representatives of the clubs and our teams, and we are talking about the Professional League to manage the championship. Talks are ongoing. Working groups are being set up to propose how to transfer the league to the Professional League," Ivanov said.
He also did not overlook the work of the Referees Commission. "I cannot but be pleased with Stanislav Todorov as the head of the referees. Since he became the head of the referees, there is calm in the clubs. Yes, there will always be malcontents, there will always be mistakes because there is a human factor. All referees will be judged on their performance during official matches. I will be uncompromising with them. And if they don't perform - there will be dismissals as early as December," the BFU president was adamant.
In conclusion, Ivanov said he believed in the success of his team. "I myself will not give up and I will make sure that we are all proud of our football!" he concluded.
