World Players Union Bashes Bulgarian Club over Lie Detector Tests

Last Saturday, Lokomotiv Plovdiv (in the vertical black and white striped shirts) suffered its first defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to struggling Botev Vratsa. Photo by BNT

FIFpro, the International Federation of Professional Footballers, has criticized the owner of Bulgarian club Lokomotiv Plovdiv for suggesting that players should take lie detector tests after an allegedly fixed game.

Last Saturday, Lokomotiv Plovdiv suffered its first defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to struggling Botev Vratsa.

The surprising defeat prompted club owner Veselin Mareshki to order his players and coaches to take a lie detector test. "Nobody is insured against defeats but this loss is very strange," Mareshki said in local media. "The fair play principle is the most important thing for me and all players and coaches will take lie detector tests."

FIFPro has reminded that match-fixing in professional sports is a big concern in Bulgaria.

"FIFPro totally disagrees with the decision of the Bulgarian club Lokomotiv Plovdiv to order their players and coaches to take lie detector tests," the federation has said in a statement.

"Simply put: the lie detector tests are dubious."

FIFPro is highly concerned by the decision of Lokomotiv Plovdiv's management. 'We have some very critical remarks', said FIFPro lawyer Wil van Megen. 'The lie detector tests are no means to use at this stage.'

Van Megen has expressed his serious doubts about the accuracy of the lie detector test, pointing out that many scientists have criticized the use of the lie detector.

"If this tool were to be applied, then it should be used by the defence, not by the prosecutor," he has also stated.

FIFPro has emphasized that it is against any form of manipulation in professional football, including match fixing.

The Bulgarian professional footballers' association, ABF, has reacted to the declaration, saying that it has been assured the players are not being forced to take the lie detector tests.

"The players are thinking about taking these tests, because they want to clear their names. But as far as we know, the players and coaches have still not decided whether they will take the test."

"Apparently the Plovdiv players are under the impression that they have to clear their names. But the ABF sees no reason for them to do this."

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