Bulgaria football mourns two youth players killed in Trakia crash

Two boys from the Slavia football academy, together with the father of one of them, died in a severe traffic accident on the Trakia highway near Yambol while traveling to a tournament in Albena. Their coach, Ivan Terzijski, survived but his wife remains in critical condition.

Fans, teammates and officials gathered at Slavia's Aleksandar Shalamanov stadium, covering the fence with flowers and banners bearing messages such as “Сбогом, малки ангели” (Goodbye, little angels). The Bulgarian Football Union, as well as rival clubs Levski and CSKA, voiced condolences. Slavia announced a month‑long mourning period and suspended academy training.

A charity match is scheduled for 22 July at the same stadium, pitting Slavia’s second team against Levski’s reserve and CSKA’s third team. Proceeds will aid the victims’ families, and the event carries the motto “Stop road violence” to demand stricter road‑safety measures.