The Bulgarian Football Union is introducing a ban on football-related betting by players, coaches and officials in response to a match-fixing scandal that came to light last year.
 

Key Points

The BFS plans to ban football personnel from participating in any football-related betting

The reforms are part of broader efforts to modernise Bulgaria’s football governance
 

The Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) is set to introduce a proposed ban on betting involvement by football personnel.

According to a new amendment to Article 14 of the BFS Statutes, football players, coaches and officials are prohibited from participating, either directly or indirectly, in any football-related betting.

The move is part of broader reforms developed with FIFA experts to modernise Bulgaria’s football regulatory framework and introduce an annual General Assembly.

These developments follow a match-fixing scandal from the previous year. In September 2025, coordinated efforts by the BFU and state agencies resulted in penalties for players and coaches who were found to have bet on matches during the 2024/25 season.

At the recent BFS regular Congress, key agenda items included financial reports, budget approval and a new strategic development plan for Bulgarian football.

Stricter sanctions for clubs were also proposed. If a club is expelled from the BFS, it will forfeit all membership rights, including voting rights and the ability to nominate candidates for governing bodies. Additionally, the club will only be eligible to apply for new membership after a three-year waiting period.

Match-fixing is not the only gambling-related issue Bulgaria is facing right now. Experts, policymakers and civil society representatives recently examined how effectively gambling venues are kept at a safe distance from sensitive locations and the impact of gambling on young people.

Zhorzheta Rafailova, director of Sofiaplan, highlighted that urban environments are highly dynamic, with pedestrian routes changing frequently. This complicates the establishment of a consistent zoning system for gambling venues.

During this meeting, MP Venko Sabrutev (PP-DB) announced plans to propose a full ban on gambling advertising. 

 

 

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