Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia Pull Out of Europa League

Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia have officially withdrawn from this year’s Europa League tournament.

The move was announced just hours ahead of Monday’s UEFA qualifying round draws.

It is still unclear whether Botev Plovdiv would be able to replace CSKA in the tournament. If Botev are allowed to do so, they would face Kazakh team Astana in the first round.

CSKA declared bankruptcy on Saturday and is expected to attempt a merger with another club in order to maintain its involvement in top flight Bulgarian football.

CSKAwill play in the amateur championship next season if they fail to merge with another first division club.

The financially troubled 31-times Bulgarian champions said in a statement last week that the club have transferred their shares to former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov.

Meanwhile, CSKA’s archrivals Levski Sofia have been drawn against Irtysh Palvlodar in Europa League.

Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad will play against Slovan Bratislava in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

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