2019–20 Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria)

The 2019–20 Second League was the 65th season of the Second League, the second tier of the Bulgarian football league system, and the 4th season under this name and current league structure. The season began in July 2019 and ended in May 2020,[1] but without playing all the scheduled games. The two promotion/relegation playoffs (involving teams from the First League as well) were held in July 2020.

Second Professional Football League
Season2019–20
ChampionsCSKA 1948
Promoted
Relegated
Matches played176
Goals scored475 (2.7 per match)
Top goalscorerBulgaria Andon Gushterov
(26 goals)
Best goalkeeperBulgaria Ivaylo Vasilev
(11 clean sheets)
Longest winning run9 games by Septemvri Sofia
Longest unbeaten run10 games by Septemvri Sofia
Longest winless run13 games by Ludogorets Razgrad II
Longest losing run9 games by Spartak Varna
All statistics correct as of 9 March 2020.

After the possibility of holding matches without spectators was initially envisioned,[2] on 13 March 2020, the Bulgarian Football Union decided to suspend all fixtures until 13 April in accordance with the measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] On 3 April 2020, the state of national emergency was extended until 13 May 2020[4] and on 11 April the Minister of Youth and Sports Krasen Kralev confirmed that no mass participation sports events and full training sessions will be held until that date.[5] On 15 May 2020, the Bulgarian Football Union announced that the league will not be completed, with the standings after 22 rounds to be considered final.[6] Reportedly, 10 of the lower-ranked clubs expressed a preference for this scenario due to the financial and personnel difficulties experienced by them as a result of the crisis, though Septemvri Sofia[7] and Lokomotiv Sofia were opposed.[8] CSKA 1948 gained promotion to the First League while Septemvri Sofia and Montana faced the teams who finished in the 13th (Tsarsko Selo) and the 12th (Dunav Ruse) places respectively in the highest league in promotion/relegation playoffs, with the former losing the playoff and the latter promoted.[6]

The season was marred by controversies, as several teams were disqualified from the Second League and admitted to lower divisions. Vereya was disqualified before the season started and relegated to the fourth division. During the season, Pomorie declined to further participate, resulting in demotion to the Third League for next season, due to financial problems. Similarly to Pomorie, Botev Galabovo and Chernomorets Balchik decided to withdraw from the league (during the period when the games were halted) due to financial issues.

In July 2020, after the season, three Lokomotiv GO players,[9] twelve Minyor Pernik playing personnel,[10] two Neftochimic footballers,[11] four members of the Hebar squad[12][13] and four Septemvri footballers as well as a trainer[14] were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.

Teams

The following teams have changed division since the 2018–19 season.

Note: FC Vereya, who were disqualified from the First League for match fixing, failed to obtain a professional license from the Bulgarian Football Union with the team instead entering the Southeast group of the Third Football League. As a result the Second League will consist of only 17 teams with no replacement team for Vereya's vacated spot.[15][16]

Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2019–20 Second League
Team City Stadium Capacity
BotevGalabovoEnergetik3,000
ChernomoretsBalchikGradski, Balchik3,100
CSKA 1948SofiaVasil Levski43,230
HebarPazardzhikGeorgi Benkovski13,128
KarianaErdenSport Complex Kariana1,000
LitexLovechGradski, Lovech8,100
LokomotivGorna OryahovitsaLokomotiv, Gorna Oryahovitsa10,500
LokomotivSofiaLokomotiv, Sofia22,000
Ludogorets IIRazgradEagles' Nest2,000
MontanaMontanaOgosta8,000
NeftochimicBurgasArena Sozopol3,500
PirinBlagoevgradHristo Botev7,500
PomoriePomoriePomorie2,000
SeptemvriSofiaDIT2,000
SpartakPlevenPleven22,000
SpartakVarnaSpartak8,000
Strumska SlavaRadomirGradski, Radomir3,500

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Kit sponsor
Botev Galabovo Bulgaria Mitko Kotsinov Bulgaria Nikolay Yankov Bulgaria KRASIKO Jeep Knauf, Galabovo Municipality
Chernomorets Balchik Bulgaria Georgi Ivanov Bulgaria Genadi Lugo Germany Uhlsport Balchik Municipality Efbet
CSKA 1948 Bulgaria Yordan Yurukov Bulgaria Emil Mihaylov Italy Errea Efbet Bachkovo
Hebar Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov Bulgaria Vasil Gerov Germany Jako Efbet Pazardzhik Municipality
Kariana Bulgaria Veselin Velikov Bulgaria Evgeni Ignatov Spain Joma — —
Litex Bulgaria Zhivko Zhelev Bulgaria Plamen Nikolov Italy Givova WINBET —
Lokomotiv Sofia Serbia Mladen Dodić Brazil Tom Spain Joma Casa Boyana Efbet, Malizia, Intesa, VIA 2000, Club 33
Lokomotiv GO Bulgaria Milcho Sarmov Bulgaria Ivo Harizanov Bulgaria KRASIKO Efbet Prity, Enel, Go Grill
Ludogorets II Bulgaria Todor Zhivondov Bulgaria Preslav Petrov United States Nike Efbet Vivacom, Spetema
Montana Bulgaria Vladimir Ivanov Bulgaria Ivan Mihov Germany Jako Efbet —
Neftochimic Bulgaria Diyan Petkov Bulgaria Tsvetan Filipov Bulgaria KRASIKO Masterhaus Burgas Municipality
Pirin Blagoevgrad Northern Ireland Warren Feeney Bulgaria Vladislav Zlatinov England Umbro Emirates Wealth —
Pomorie Bulgaria Malin Orachev Bulgaria Georgi Petkov Germany Jako Efbet —
Septemvri Sofia Bulgaria Milen Radukanov Bulgaria Boris Galchev Germany Uhlsport WINBET —
Spartak Pleven Bulgaria Krasimir Bislimov Bulgaria Ivaylo Radentsov Denmark Hummel Efbet —
Spartak Varna Bulgaria Nedelcho Matushev Bulgaria Boyan Iliev Germany Jako Efbet —
Strumska Slava Bulgaria Vladimir Dimitrov Bulgaria Borislav Nikolov Italy Givova Efbet —

Note: Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only one sponsorship is permitted per jersey for official tournaments organised by UEFA in addition to that of the kit manufacturer (exceptions are made for non-profit organisations). Clubs in the domestic league can have more than one sponsorship per jersey which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area. Shorts also have space available for advertisement.

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Spartak Varna Bulgaria Engibar Engibarov End of contract 29 May 2019 Pre-season Bulgaria Diyan Bozhilov 3 June 2019[17]
Septemvri Sofia Bulgaria Marian Hristov Mutual consent 4 June 2019 Bulgaria Milen Radukanov 4 June 2019[18]
Montana Bulgaria Atanas Atanasov End of contract 5 June 2019[19] Bulgaria Vladimir Ivanov 12 June 2019[20]
Ludogorets II Bulgaria Radoslav Komitov Mutual consent 14 June 2019 Bulgaria Todor Zhivondov 14 June 2019[21]
Pirin Blagoevgrad Bulgaria Ivan Stoychev Mutual consent 19 June 2019 Bulgaria Ivo Trenchev 20 June 2019[22]
Botev Galabovo Serbia Saša Simonović Mutual consent 2 July 2019[23] Bulgaria Mitko Kotsinov 4 July 2019[24]
Lokomotiv GO Bulgaria Krasimir Mechev Mutual consent 2 August 2019[25] 14th Bulgaria Milcho Sarmov 6 August 2019[26]
Spartak Varna Bulgaria Diyan Bozhilov Mutual consent 3 August 2019[27] 17th Bulgaria Nedelcho Matushev 13 August 2019[28]
CSKA 1948 Bulgaria Petko Petkov Mutual consent 20 October 2019[29] 2nd Bulgaria Yordan Yurukov 21 October 2019[30]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 CSKA 1948 (C, P) 21 18 1 2 59 18 +41 55 Promotion to the First League
2 Septemvri Sofia 20 17 1 2 47 19 +28 52 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
3 Montana (P) 21 13 3 5 40 17 +23 42
4 Lokomotiv Sofia 21 12 3 6 34 18 +16 39
5 Neftochimic 21 10 3 8 35 29 +6 33[lower-alpha 1]
6 Hebar 21 10 3 8 35 30 +5 33[lower-alpha 1]
7 Litex 20 9 5 6 29 15 +14 32[lower-alpha 2]
8 Kariana 20 9 5 6 30 24 +6 32[lower-alpha 2]
9 Lokomotiv GO 21 8 5 8 32 30 +2 29
10 Botev Galabovo (R, D) 21 6 7 8 23 32 −9 25[lower-alpha 3] Disqualified and relegated to the Third League[lower-alpha 4]
11 Pirin Blagoevgrad 20 6 7 7 24 29 −5 25[lower-alpha 3]
12 Ludogorets II 21 5 9 7 20 25 −5 24 Ineligible for promotion
13 Strumska Slava 21 7 1 13 21 34 −13 22[lower-alpha 5]
14 Chernomorets Balchik (R, D) 20 6 4 10 15 27 −12 22[lower-alpha 5] Disqualified and relegated to the Third League[lower-alpha 6]
15 Spartak Varna (R) 21 2 4 15 6 42 −36 10 Relegation to the Third League
16 Spartak Pleven (R) 21 2 4 15 10 41 −31 7[lower-alpha 7]
17 Pomorie (R, D) 21 2 3 16 15 45 −30 6[lower-alpha 8] Disqualified and relegated to the Third League[lower-alpha 9]
Source: bulgarian-football.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[32]
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Neftochimic ahead of Hebar on head-to-head points: Neftochimic–Hebar 2–1.
  2. Litex ahead of Kariana on head-to-head points: Kariana–Litex 1–1, Litex with more away goals.
  3. Botev Galabovo ahead of Pirin Blagoevgrad on head-to-head points: Botev Galabovo–Pirin 0–0, Pirin–Botev Galabovo 2–2, Botev Galabovo with more away goals.
  4. Botev Galabovo was disqualified to the Third League, after the team voluntarily decided to cancel their participation in the Second League, due to financial difficulties.
  5. Strumska Slava ahead of Chernomorets Balchik on head-to-head points: Strumska Slava–Chernomorets Balchik 1–0, Chernomorets Balchik–Strumska Slava 2–1, Strumska Slava with more away goals.
  6. Chernomorets Balchik was disqualified from the league, due to financial problems. The team was demoted to the Third League.
  7. Spartak Pleven deducted 3 points for a first no-show without an excusable reason (round 8, against Montana).
  8. Pomorie deducted 3 points for a first no-show without an excusable reason (round 19, against Kariana).
  9. On 25 February 2020, Pomorie were disqualified and relegated from the league for not showing up to two consecutive matches. All results from played matches involving Pomorie were retained, and the team's opponents until the end of the season will be awarded 3–0 wins.[31]

Results
Home \ Away GAL CBA CSK HEB KAR LIT LGO LSO LUD MON NEF PIR POM SEP SPL SVN STR
Botev Galabovo — 2–1 4–5 a a a a 0–3 1–0 a 3–2 0–0 1–0 1–2 1–1 1–0 2–1
Chernomorets Balchik b — b 1–1 1–0 b 2–0 0–0 1–0 b b 0–2 0–1 0–1 b 4–0 2–1
CSKA 1948 c 2–0 — c c c c 2–0 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–0 5–1 5–0 7–1 2–0 2–0
Hebar 1–0 d 1–2 — 2–1 1–0 0–0 d d 1–3 d 1–3 3–0 d 3–0 3–0 d
Kariana 0–0 e 3–2 e — 1–1 1–0 e e 1–1 4–1 2–2 3–0 e 2–3 e 1–0
Litex 3–0 4–0 1–0 f f — 5–0 f f 0–1 1–1 1–2 f 1–0 0–0 f 0–2
Lokomotiv GO 3–2 1–1 2–3 6–1 1–2 0–0 — g g 2–1 1–0 g g 0–1 3–0 g 3–2
Lokomotiv Sofia 2–0 h 2–3 3–3 2–0 1–0 3–0 — 2–0 0–1 h 2–0 h h 1–0 h h
Ludogorets II 2–2 i i 0–3 1–1 0–1 2–2 2–1 — 0–0 i 1–1 i i 2–0 1–0 i
Montana 3–0 6–1 0–1 2–1 3–1 j j j 2–0 — 4–2 j 5–1 0–2 3–0 j 2–0
Neftochimic k 1–0 k 2–1 k k 2–0 3–3 0–0 0–2 — 1–0 2–1 0–2 k 5–0 3–0
Pirin Blagoevgrad 2–2 l l l l 0–0 0–5 0–1 l 1–1 l — 3–1 1–4 2–0 2–2 3–1
Pomorie m 0–0 0–3 0–1 0–1 2–3 2–3 1–3 0–0 m 0–3 m — m m 2–0 m
Septemvri Sofia n 4–0 n 4–2 3–2 4–3 n 2–1 2–2 n n 2–0 3–1 — n 3–0 2–0
Spartak Pleven 0–0 0–1 1–4 1–3 o o o 0–2 0–1 o 1–2 o 2–1 0–2 — 0–0 0–1
Spartak Varna 1–1 o 0–1 0–2 1–2 0–4 0–0 1–0 0–2 1–0 0–4 o o o o — o
Strumska Slava p 1–0 p 2–1 0–2 0–1 p 0–2 4–2 p 2–1 p 1–1 0–4 p 3–0 —
Source: bulgarian-football.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Positions by round
Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
CSKA 19485211111111122222221111
Septemvri4763222222211111112222
Montana9426743344333464333333
Lokomotiv Sofia12885334433444333445444
Neftochimic26596810858767779767555
Hebar337445796658101087874666
Litex11489797107655656556887
Kariana105325656858799101010108778
Lokomotiv GO1514141111121211121010106545689999
Botev Galabovo710121310111112911111111111111111111111010
Pirin17111314131065799988989910101111
Ludogorets II81397898101112121414141413131313131212
Strumska Slava13151516161516141516131212121314141414141413
Chernomorets11121010121415131413151313131212121212121314
Spartak Varna16171717171614151314141515151515151616161515
Spartak Pleven14161615151717171717171717171717171717171616
Pomorie691112141313161615161616161616161515151717
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 2020. Source: bulgarian-football.com

Results by round
Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
Botev GalabovoDDLDWLWLW–LLWDWLLWDLDD
ChernomoretsLDW–LLLWLDLWLDWWLDWL–L
CSKA 1948WWWWWWW–WLWLWWWDWWWWWW
HebarWWLWDL–LWDWLLLWWDWWLWL
KarianaDWWW–LDLDWLWDDLLWLWWW–
LitexWW–LLWDDLWWWLDWLWDL–WD
Lokomotiv GOLDLWDLDWLWDWWWW–LDLLLW
Lokomotiv SofiaLWWWWLLWWW–LWDWDDLLWWW
Ludogorets IIDLWWDDDL–DLLDDLDDLWWWL
MontanaDWWLDWWWLDWLW–LWWWWWLW
NeftochimicWLWLW–LDWLWWLDLDWWLWWL
Pirin–DLLWWWDDDLWWLLWD–DLLD
PomorieWLLLLDLLLWLLLD–LLDLLLL
SeptemvriW–WWWWWWLDWWWWWWWW–WLW
Spartak PlevenLLLDLLDLWLL–LDLWLLLLDL
Spartak VarnaLLLLLWDDWLDL–LLLLLLLLD
Strumska SlavaLLLLLWLWLLWWLDLL–LWWLW
Updated to match(es) played on 9 March 2020. Source: bulgarian-football.com
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Transfers

References
  1. "Изпълнителният комитет на БФС прие промени в нормативните документи за сезон 2019/2020". Bulgarian Football Union official website (in Bulgarian). 14 May 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. "Всички спортни събития в България ще се провеждат без публика". dariknews.bg. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  3. Petrov, Todor, ed. (13 March 2020). "БФС спря за месец първенствата в Първа и Втора лига". bgonair.bg. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  4. "Парламентът удължи извънредното положение в България до 13 май (хронология)". dnevnik.bg. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
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  8. "Бойчо Величков: Локомотив (София) и Септември са единствените губещи от спирането на Втора лига" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  9. Georgiev, Martin (3 July 2020). "Още родни футболисти са заразени с коронавирус. Заразените са от "Царско село" и "Локомотив" (Горна Оряховица)". nova.bg. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  10. "12 футболисти от пернишкия "Миньор" са с коронавирус". news.bg. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  11. "Двама футболисти на Нефтохимик са с COVID-19". bnr.bg. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  12. Yordanova, Veselina (21 July 2020). "Трима футболисти на "Хебър" са с коронавирус. Чакат се резултатите от още две проби". dnes.bg. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  13. Kaburova, Tanya, ed. (24 July 2020). "Още един футболист на Хебър е с COVID-19". telemedia.bg. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  14. "Още един български клуб е поразен от COVID-19, отборът спря с тренировките". sportal.bg. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  15. "Отказаха лиценз за Втора лига на Верея, групата остава със 17 отбора" [Denied Second League license to Vereya, the group remains with 17 teams]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  16. "Вижте пълния състав на Югоизточната Трета лига" [View the full lineup of the Southeast Third League]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  17. "Бивш халф на Славия и Ботев (Пд) поема Спартак (Вн)" [Former Slavia and Botev Plovdiv midfielder takes over Spartak Varna] (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 3 June 2019.
  18. "Милен Радуканов е новият старши треньор на Септември София" [Milen Radukanov is the new head coach of Septemvri Sofia] (in Bulgarian). fcseptemvri.com. 4 June 2019.
  19. "Монтана се раздели с треньора" [Montana parted ways with the coach] (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 5 June 2019.
  20. "Владимир Иванов пое Монтана" [Vladimir Ivanov takes over Montana] (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 12 June 2019.
  21. "Кадър от футболната академия на Лудогорец поема втория отбор" [Disciple of the Ludogorets football academy takes over the second team] (in Bulgarian). ludogorets.com. 14 June 2019.
  22. "Пирин с нов треньор" [Pirin with new head coach] (in Bulgarian). pirinfc.com. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  23. "Саша Симонович и Ботев Гълъбово се разделят" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 2 July 2019.
  24. "Ботев Гълъбово бързо си намери нов треньор" (in Bulgarian). kotasport.com. 4 July 2019.
  25. "Падна първата треньорска глава във Втора лига" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 2 August 2019.
  26. "Локомотив (Горна Оряховица) има нов старши-треньор" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 6 August 2019.
  27. "Старши треньорът Диян Божилов подаде оставка" (in Bulgarian). spartakvarna.bg. 3 August 2019.
  28. "Неделчо Матушев е новият треньор на Спартак (Варна)" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 13 August 2019.
  29. "Петко Петков подаде оставка като треньор, ЦСКА я прие" (in Bulgarian). cska1948.bg. 20 October 2019.
  30. "Йордан Юруков е новият треньор на ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). cska1948.bg. 21 October 2019.
  31. "Извадиха ОФК Поморие от Втора лига" [OFC Pomorie has been taken out of Second League] (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  32. "Second League – Season Rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
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