Bulgaria's Stoichkov Gets off with Slim Fine

Hristo Stoichkov has good reasons to be happy with the fine imposed on him more than sixty times lower than expected. Photo by EPA/BGNES

South African team Mamelodi Sundowns has imposed a EUR 2,000 fine on its former coach, legendary Bulgarian footballer Hristo Stoichkov, for failing to prove allegations of corruption in the country's football federation.

The fine is considerably lower than the expected amount of EUR 70,000.

The Bulgarian coach is also obliged to cover the expenses for the delayed trial, which total EUR 6, 343, and apologize in writing to the South African football federation.

At the end of February this year Hristo Stoichkov accused the management the local Premier Soccer League (PSL) of corruption.

Stoichkov was upset by the decision to resume the match against Moroka Swallows from the 36th minute and a 0:2 score, instead of starting from the beginning.

The game was abandoned in midweek due to flood light failure at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville. The teams ended even with a score of 3:3 which put the Swallows 4 points away from the top place two rounds before the end of the championship.

“These people are corrupt. This was a dumb decision; this is bad for the people. These people never played football and have no idea what is going on. The managers just spoil football in this country. The sport is developing but they are stuck in one place,” Stoichkov said in a bout of anger after the game.

Stoichkov resigned as the coach of South African team Mamelodi Sundowns last Wednesday, leaving reportedly offended because the team did not offer him an extension of his contract.

The 44-year-old Bulgarian coach took over Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2009, and led the team to the second position in the South African championship.

He has declared several times his readiness to continue coaching the club but to no avail.

The legendary Bulgarian striker is going to be in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup in his capacity of a commentator for a Mexican TV station.

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