4th June 2008, 23:50
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#51 (permalink)
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Reserve Team Player
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Self-imposed media blackout.
Posts: 2,686
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Reuters says the spot will go to Levski Sofia.
Quote:
Levski set to replace CSKA in Champions League
Bulgarian league runners-up Levski Spartak will replace champions CSKA Sofia in next season's Champions League if their local rivals are banned from European competition, Levski owner Todor Batkov said on Wednesday. The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) said on Tuesday CSKA faced a European ban and expulsion from the domestic league after failing to meet licensing criteria. CSKA president Alexandar Tomov said his club would appeal.
Batkov said Levski were not prepared for the Champions League but would take part to avoid a possible sanctions. "Morally and from a sporting point of view we're not ready for the Champions League but we have to consider our situation as we'll be punished if we refuse to take part," Batkov told Nova TV.
CSKA won their 31st league title a month ago to earn a place in the Champions League's third qualifying round, which would now go to their traditional foes, who finished second in the domestic championship.
"One way or another, Bulgaria has a (Champions League) quota and I think it's normal to fill the vacancy," Batkov said. "UEFA's mercy is CSKA's only chance to keep their Champions League place. In my opinion, however, the chances of that happening are very slim."
The BFU said CSKA did not meet BFU Licensing Commission conditions because the club owed money to the National Social Security Institute, National Revenue Agency and creditors. The BFU has sent a letter to UEFA asking the European governing body to give CSKA an extension to meet the criteria.
Levski were the first Bulgarian club to contest the Champions League's group stage in 2006 and the prospect of playing in the biggest European club tournament once again has given fans cause for optimism. "It's just unbelievable," Levski fan Valentin Angelov said. "We should be called 'The Idiots Of Europe' if we missed the chance of playing against the top continental clubs."
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldF...080604?sp=true
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