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4 clusters · 9 sources · 14 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: SPORTS

Bulgarian football Rule 4 compliance dispute

Entities: Georgi Ivanov · Bulgarian Football Union · Ludogorets Razgrad · Mateo Trefoloni · Stanislav Todorov

Overview

In mid‑July 2026 the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) published clubs’ declarations on the mandatory minimum‑Bulgarian‑player rule (Rule 4) for the 2026‑27 efbet Liga season. Four clubs – Levski, Ludogorets, CSKA and CSKA 1948 – said they would not comply and would instead pay the €300,000 administrative fee, each planning to field eight non‑EU players, while Botev Plovdiv disclosed six.

A week later the BFS Executive Committee waived the €199,467 compensation fee that Ludogorets Razgrad would have owed for failing to field at least four Bulgarian players in 2025‑26, arguing that the club’s progression to the UEFA Conference League knockout stage removed its eligibility for solidarity payments, making an additional charge a double‑penalty. The amount was reassigned to four other top‑division clubs and redistributed among elite teams.

On 27 July BFS president Georgi Ivanov defended the rule, emphasizing that it aims to increase playing time for local talent and keep financial resources within Bulgarian football.

Two days later the federation quietly introduced further contentious measures: it confirmed the waiver of Ludogorets’ compensation fee and replaced the head of the Referees Committee, Stanislav Todorov, with Mateo Trefoloni without public explanation. Critics described these steps as a back‑room arrangement that favours Ludogorets, raising concerns over governance and transparency within the BFS.

The federation noted that future rule adjustments could alter how such payments are allocated.

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Bulgarian Football Union's Controversial Changes Favor Ludogorets

    BFS President Georgi Ivanov waived Ludogorets' compensation fee and replaced the Referees Committee head mid‑season, sparking criticism of a back‑room deal favoring the club.

  2. 7 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Georgi Ivanov defends Bulgarian player rule and compensation decision for Ludogorets

    BFS president Georgi Ivanov defended the rule requiring Bulgarian clubs to field local players or pay a fee, explaining Ludogorets’ exemption and the related UEFA solidarity payment system.

  3. 10 days ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    BFS exempts Ludogorets from compensation fee after European progress

    BFS has waived Ludogorets' €199,467 compensation fee for the 2025/26 season, citing its European success; the €797,868 shortfall will be covered by four other Bulgarian clubs and redistributed among the league.

  4. 19 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Bulgarian clubs announce non‑compliance with 'Rule 4' for 2026‑27 efbet Liga

    BFS said Levski, Ludogorets, CSKA and CSKA 1948 will skip the 2026/27 ‘Rule 4’ minimum‑Bulgarian‑player requirement, each paying €300k, with several clubs also planning to field up to eight non‑EU players.

Sources

chernomorec.gong.bg · fakti.bg · focus-news.bg · monitor.bg · news7.bg · shumen.actualno.com · sportal.bg · sportlive.bg · szinpad.kultura.hu

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history