Football Legend Stoichkov Backs Bulgaria Ruling Party Presidential Hopeful

Rosen Plevneliev (L) conversing wiuth Hristo Stoichkov, at a time when the former was still Bulgaria's Regional Development Minister, before deciding to run for President of Bulgaria for the GERB party. BGNES

The greatest player in Bulgarian football history, Hristo Stoichko, has issued a rare political statement, vowing his strong support for presidential candidate of Bulgarian ruling party GERB, Rosen Plevneliev.

"I, Hristo Stoichkov, stand up with my name and my whole authority behind Rosen Plevneliev and the new future of Bulgaria," reads the star forward's message.

Since end of last week, Plevneliev has been involved in a peculiar scandal, after fellow GERB politician, Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov stated that back in 2007 Plevneliev received a solicitation for bribe by officers in the Sofia Municipality, but did not inform the authorities of the incident.

In his statement, Stoichkov addresses that matter, saying it is no occasion to denigrate Plevneliev and attacking what he sees as an unconstructive drive of some Bulgarian politicians to mar the reputation of rivals.

The footballer also mentions on a positive note "machos" like himself, Plevneliev and Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov, who with their no-fussing-about style are out to rescue Bulgaria from trouble.

Relations between Stoichkov and Borisov's GERB party have been generally good, with Borisov appointing the footballer to be Bulgaria's honorary consul in Barcelona, where Stoichkov had made his international fame as a player.

Over the summer, there were even rumors that Stoichkov might end up being GERB's candidate for president or vice-president of Bulgaria for October 23 elections.

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