April 24 – The ultras of Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia have threatened to hold a large-scale protest in the centre of Sofia after the Municipal Council refused to name one of the newly built metro stations in the capital after the name of the club, SC CSKA.
At a meeting of the Sofia Municipal Council in late March, the names of the newly built metro stations in Sofia were approved, with the initial proposal to rename the Shipchenski Prohod station to SC CSKA not being approved.
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev returned the decision for reconsideration, but the municipal councillors refused the name change for a second time.
This angered CSKA fans, who later issued a statement saying that they were not happy with the decision and threatening a massive protest before the Bulgarian Cup final against Ludogorets on May 22. The match will be played at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, with more than 30,000 spectators expected to attend.
“After a meeting of the municipal council held today, the name of the future metro station on the new line was again not accepted. After we showed foresight and understanding in the name of compromise, once again, the so-called ‘politicians’ and pseudo-rulers in our poor and suffering country considered it right not to keep their word and lie to us most brazenly and unceremoniously. They deceived us and all of you – the United Red Community,” said the CSKA Sofia fan club.
“It is not something we did not expect, but apparently, the disrespectful gentlemen have missed the subtle detail that CSKA will play the final of the Bulgarian Cup in the center of Sofia next month. We leave it to their limited imagination what this means for them, the mayor of Sofia, and all the false heroes involved in the chain.
“We expect all of you on the day of the final in the capital, to defend the name and history of our beloved club both on the field and off it. We will also provide more details regarding “the program”, but we want to state clearly and categorically – there will be no compromise for a second time.
“He who sows wind, reaps storms. If you haven’t understood it already, asks the Bulgarian Football Union.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimrov@moc.l1745576131labto1745576131ofdlr1745576131owedi1745576131sni@o1745576131fni1745576131