Dimitar Berbatov LOSES race to become new Bulgarian FA president after narrowly missing out to Borislav Mihaylov… but Man United great is asking for second round of voting because three clubs didn’t vote
- Dimitar Berbatov has lost the race to become the new president of Bulgarian FA
- Manchester United and Spurs great lost out to current chief Borislav Mihaylov
- Mihaylov picked up 241 votes compared to Berbatov’s 230 on Tuesday afternoon
- The Premier League winner is intent on making radical changes in his homeland
Manchester United and Tottenham great Dimitar Berbatov has lost the race to become the new chief of Bulgaria’s Football Association – but isn’t giving up hope just yet.
The retired striker narrowly lost out to the country’s current president Borislav Mihaylov, who picked up 241 votes compared to Berbatov’s 230, seeing the 58-year-old voted back in for a fifth term.
However, Berbatov, who is being backed by ex-Man City and Aston Villa aces Martin and Stiliyan Petrov for the role, is asking for a second round of voting as three of the clubs didn’t vote.
Dimitar Berbatov (centre) has lost the race to become the new president of the Bulgarian FA
According to Sky Sports, if the three clubs that didn’t vote decide to back Berbatov, he will get eight votes from the third candidate and the votes would be tied.
Mihaylov is remembered in England after he resigned, along with Bulgaria boss Krasimir Balakov, from his post after Gareth Southgate’s players were racially abused two years ago in Sofia during a Euro 2020 qualifying match.
Mihaylov then withdrew his resignation 500 days later and is now set for a fifth term in office.
Berbatov lost out to current Bulgarian FA chief Borislav Mihaylov, who got 241 of the votes
Bulgarian media are now reporting that Berbatov has lost the race, but it is still up for grabs if Berbatov can convince those who abstained from voting.
The two-time Premier League winner is intent on making radical changes in his homeland and ‘fighting the system’.
It comes two years after the racism incident in Sofia while there have been reports of matchfixing and corruption in the country.
The two-time Premier League winner is intent on making radical changes in his homeland
He told The Guardian earlier this week: ‘It’s time for a radical change – Bulgarian football needs to be fully shaken up.
‘The lack of results, the constant scandals, the suspicions of corruption, the racist incidents in the England game, police entering the FA’s headquarters … all this reflects the level Bulgarian football is currently at.
‘And it just shows how much this radical change is needed. Having said that, I feel ready to take the responsibility for delivering that change.’
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