CSKA Sofia given record fine and two-match crowd ban

The Bulgarian Football Union's (BFU) disciplinary commission fined CSKA 37,500 levs ($26,060) and handed them a one-match crowd ban relating to the display of discriminative and abusive banners.

The club were also fined a further 3,000 levs ($2,085) and given an additional match crowd ban for the behaviour of their supporters during an ill-tempered 1-1 draw at fellow title favourites Litex, marred by three red cards and 10 bookings.

Fans of the 30-times Bulgarian champions threw objects onto the pitch, hitting one policeman.

The crowd ban, handed down by BFU will affect CSKA's opening home league matches this season -- against

CSKA officials have said they would appeal as they consider the sanctions harsh.

"We'll insist this commission (BFU's disciplinary commission) to be dissolved," CSKA's official Emil Kostadinov told reporters.

"We'll appeal the decision and try to convince the appeal commission to mitigate the punishment."

The BFU also fined Litex 5,000 levs ($3,475) after their president Angel Bonchev attempted to manhandle referee Tsvetan Georgiev on his way to the dressing room. Litex's Ivelin Popov was fined 3,000 levs ($2,085) for obscene gestures to the crowd.

Champions and CSKA's bitter city rivals Levski were also given two-match crowd ban in May after hooliganism marred their 6-2 win over Litex on the final day of last season.