Bulgarian football club Levski Sofia is voicing concerns over the appointment of the VAR official for their upcoming Supercup final against Ludogorets. Club president Nasko Sirakov issued a strongly-worded statement questioning the selection of Ventsislav Mitrev, citing a previous agreement with the Bulgarian Football Union regarding transparency and consistent officiating following past controversial decisions . Sirakov’s full statement, published without editorial intervention, alleges a potential test of the club’s resolve and commitment to its ambitions.
Levski President Nasko Sirakov has issued a statement expressing concern over the appointment of Ventsislav Mitrev as the VAR official for the upcoming Bulgarian Supercup final against Ludogorets.
We publish Nasko Sirakov’s statement without editorial intervention:
Dear Levski fans,
Crucial months lie ahead for Levski. I understand the excitement – the atmosphere around the team is incredible, but I will continue to repeat – we haven’t won anything yet, and tough battles await us.
The transfer window proved more complex than anticipated, but we didn’t back down. We responded to every challenge thrown our way and secured two key victories, because we have an exceptional team working with dedication and without rest. It took time to get our house in order, but today, professionals work at all levels within Levski, and our only thought is victory.
Achieving our goals will require much more work, sacrifice, and a fight for every inch – on and off the pitch.
On September 29, 2025, a meeting took place between representatives of Levski and the Bulgarian Football Union’s Referee Committee. Clear commitments were made during that meeting, which the committee later announced publicly. These included improved communication with teams and the public, regular briefings on controversial moments, and mutual respect between all parties. I believe that meeting led to some of the most peaceful months in the relationship between PFC Levski and the Referee Committee in recent years.
That meeting and the publicly stated positions were prompted by contentious decisions from the VAR team in our match against Ludogorets. Several months later, some of the promises made by the other side have not been fulfilled. We will once again play against Ludogorets, and Ventsislav Mitrev has again been appointed as the lead VAR official. I suspect that the phrase “Gidzhen, think carefully about what you will decide” isn’t just in my head, but in yours as well.
I had been under the impression that following the meeting on September 29, 2025, there would be real action on the publicly stated commitments. Until recently, the signals were such. Apparently, something has changed in the last few weeks.
Levski fans, this appointment is not a random act. Perhaps “provocation” is a strong word, but it is certainly a test for all of us. Are we paying attention to the details? Are we vigilant? Have we become complacent? And how far do our ambitions reach? I had planned for this statement to have a completely different tone, but circumstances dictate otherwise. We must clearly show that we will not yield an inch of our goals.
One of the recurring criticisms leveled against me in recent years is that I softened my tone after the words: “There will not be a stone left on a stone if things continue like this.” The truth is, you can’t enter such a battle without a strong team and a united community. I think we are ready now.
Thank you for your support. See you at the match!
Nasko Sirakov, President of PFC Levski
and Chairman of the Supervisory Board
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