Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa goalkeeper banned after referee assault

Aleksandar Stoyanov, a goalkeeper for Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa, has received a two-year suspension from football following a violent assault on referee Vladimir Velev. The incident occurred during a U18 Elite Group match against National Sofia on October 10.

Video footage shows Stoyanov attacking the referee from behind using martial arts-style movements, including a kick to the head, after the final whistle. The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) and the Association of Football Referees in Bulgaria (AFRB) have both condemned the brutality. The AFRB has called for a lifetime ban, stating such behavior is “incompatible with any sports field or hall.”

In addition to Stoyanov's suspension, the BFU's Disciplinary Commission imposed sanctions on the team's coaching staff. An assistant coach was fined approximately 387.50 euros and banned from the bench for two matches. Two other players, Sliven Veselinov and Stefan Chukurliev, also received two-match bans following red cards during the match. Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa management expressed deep regret and apologized to the refereeing crew, while emphasizing the need for pedagogical and psychological work to address youth aggression.