2021–22 Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria)
The 2021–22 Second League was the 66th season of the Second League, the second tier of the Bulgarian football league system, and the 6th season under this name and current league structure.
| Season | 2021–22 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 24 July 2021 – 21 May 2022[1] |
| Promoted | Septemvri Sofia Hebar Pazardzhik Spartak Varna |
| Relegated | Septemvri Simitli Marek Dupnitsa Neftochimic (disqualified) Levski Lom (withdrawn) |
| Matches played | 342 |
| Goals scored | 871 (2.55 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Mariyan Tonev (19 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Septemvri Sofia 7−0 Septemvri Simitli |
| Biggest away win | Sozopol 0−5 Septemvri Sofia |
| Highest scoring | Maritsa 3−5 Spartak Varna Sportist Svoge 4–4 CSKA 1948 Sofia II |
← 2020–21 2022–23 → All statistics correct as of 3 June 2022. | |
For this season, the league was expanded from 17 to 20 teams, with four teams promoted from the Third League, as well as two reserve teams being added to the league. This makes this season the largest in terms of number of teams competing since the 2011–12 season, when 20 teams competed in two separate divisions.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stadiums were initially limited to 50% capacity, with the spectators also being subject to compliance with social distancing and the wearing of face masks.[2] Since 7 September 2021, only 30% of the stadium could be occupied.[3] In mid September 2021, the Football Union postponed the next three Levski Lom matches (two for the league and one for the Cup) after 12 of the team's players tested positive for the coronavirus.[4] From 14 October 2021, no fans were allowed at the stadiums of the teams based in Sofia Province and Sofia City Province.[5] From 21 October, a prerequisite to fan attendance was the possession of a green certificate, entailing proof of vaccination, recovery from an infection or a negative COVID-19 test.[6] From 24 February 2022, the green pass was no longer required for spectators, though it remained in place for the staff and event organizers.[7] From 21 March 2022, the vaccine pass was abolished for all public activities, including football matches.[8]
On 4 November 2021 the professional football license of Neftochimic was revoked by the Licensing commission of the Bulgarian Football Union as a result of the club not following financial fair play rules and outstanding payments towards personnel and state institutions. In the following days the team was to be removed from the group and its matches annulled.[9] On 19 November the BFU confirmed its decision and removed Neftochimic from the group, annulling all their fixtures played until that point.[10]
On 16 March 2022 Levski Lom decided to discontinue its participation in the league, citing the club's position in the league standings and financial issues.[11] On March 17, as a result of the team`s withdrawal, the sports-technical commission of BFU removed Levski Lom from the group. Team`s results up to that date still count toward the league standings with opponents awarded 3:0 wins for the remainder of the season.[12]
Teams edit
The following teams have changed division since the 2020–21 season.
To Second League editIntroduced reserve team Promoted from Third League Relegated from First League | From Second League editRelegated to Third League Promoted to First League
|
Stadia and locations edit
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botev II | Plovdiv | Futbolen kompleks Botev 1912 | 3,500 |
| CSKA 1948 II | Sofia | Bistritsa | 2,500 |
| Dobrudzha | Dobrich | Druzhba | 12,500 |
| Etar | Veliko Tarnovo | Ivaylo | 18,000 |
| Hebar | Pazardzhik | Georgi Benkovski | 13,128 |
| Levski | Lom | Dunavski Yunak | 2,500 |
| Litex | Lovech | Gradski | 8,100 |
| Ludogorets II | Razgrad | Eagles' Nest | 2,000 |
| Marek | Dupnitsa | Bonchuk | 16,000 |
| Maritsa | Plovdiv | Maritsa | 5,000 |
| Minyor | Pernik | Minyor | 8,000 |
| Montana | Montana | Ogosta | 6,000 |
| Neftochimic | Burgas | efbet Arena | 18,037 |
| Septemvri | Simitli | Struma | 8,000 |
| Septemvri | Sofia | DIT | 2,000 |
| Sozopol | Sozopol | Arena Sozopol | 3,500 |
| Spartak | Varna | Spartak | 6,000 |
| Sportist | Svoge | Chavdar Tsvetkov | 3,500 |
| Strumska Slava | Radomir | Gradski | 3,500 |
| Yantra | Gabrovo | Hristo Botev | 14,000 |
Personnel and sponsorship edit
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 Plovdiv II | Stefan Stoyanov | Dimitar Balinov | Uhlsport | WinBet | — |
| CSKA 1948 II | Vladimir Dimitrov | Georgi Mariyanov | Adidas | efbet | Bachkovo |
| Dobrudzha | Atanas Atanasov | Dimitar Iliev | Uhlsport | Corteva Agriscience | — |
| Etar | Veselin Velikov | Zdravko Iliev | Joma[15] | WinBet | — |
| Hebar | Nikolay Mitov | Tsvetelin Tonev | Jako | Efbet | Pazardzhik Municipality |
| Levski Lom | Anatoli Tonov | Nikolay Hristov | Joma | — | — |
| Litex | Zhivko Zhelev | Plamen Nikolov | Givova | WINBET | — |
| Ludogorets II | Todor Zhivondov | Tsvetoslav Petrov | Nike | Efbet | Vivacom, Spetema |
| Marek | Vasil Pavlov | Aleksandar Bliznakov | Joma | Dupnitsa Municipality | — |
| Maritsa | Nikolay Dimitrov | Valeri Domovchiyski | Tenev | — | — |
| Minyor | Hristo Yanev | Andreas Vasev | Jumper | Efbet | — |
| Montana | Antoni Zdravkov | Ivan Mihov | Joma | efbet | — |
| Neftochimic | Vladimir Ivanov | Marin Orlinov | KRASIKO | Masterhaus | Burgas Municipality |
| Septemvri Simitli | Spas Stoimenov | Anatoli Luleyski | Joma | Simitli Municipality | — |
| Septemvri Sofia | Slavko Matić | Asen Chandarov | Uhlsport | WINBET | — |
| Sоzopol | Margarit Dimov | Petar Kyumurdzhiev | Erreà | — | Efbet |
| Spartak | Vasil Petrov | Yancho Andreev | Jako | Efbet | — |
| Sportist | Borislav Kyosev | Borislav Stoychev | Zeus | Petar Electric | — |
| Strumska Slava | Yuriy Vasev | Borislav Nikolov | Givova | Efbet | — |
| Yantra | Sasho Angelov | Hristiyan Kozhuharov | Jumper | 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 edit
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSKA 1948 II | N/A (inaugural season) | pre-season | Miroslav Mindev | 29 May 2021[16] | ||
| Levski Lom | Ferario Spasov | Sacked | 31 May 2021 | pre-season | Emil Velev | 31 May 2021[17] |
| Botev II | N/A (inaugural season) | pre-season | Stefan Stoyanov | 7 June 2021[18] | ||
| CSKA 1948 II | Miroslav Mindev | Promoted to CSKA 1948 | 27 July 2021 | 10th | Atanas Apostolov | 27 July 2021[19] |
| Levski Lom | Emil Velev | Resigned | 11 August 2021 | 19th | Ivaylo Vasilev | 12 August 2021[20] |
| Yantra Gabrovo | Kostadin Angelov | Resigned | 15 August 2021 | 19th | Sasho Angelov | 1 September 2021[21] |
| Dobrudzha | Stefan Slavov | Mutual consent | 14 September 2021 | 16th | Atanas Atanasov | 14 September 2021[22] |
| CSKA 1948 II | Atanas Apostolov | Mutual consent | 14 September 2021 | 15th | Andrey Andreev | 28 September 2021[23] |
| Neftochimic | Lyudmil Kirov | Resigned | 22 October 2021 | 20th | Kaloyan Genov | 24 October 2021[24] |
| Neftochimic | Kaloyan Genov | Resigned | 27 October 2021 | 20th | Vladimir Ivanov | 30 October 2021[25] |
| Levski Lom | Ivaylo Vasilev | Sacked | 1 November 2021 | 19th | Anatoli Tonov | 1 November 2021[26] |
| CSKA 1948 II | Andrey Andreev | Mutual consent | 3 December 2021 | 14th | Vladimir Dimitrov | 19 December 2021[27][28] |
| Strumska Slava | Vladimir Dimitrov | Mutual consent | 17 December 2021 | 8th | Yuriy Vasev | 17 December 2021[29] |
| Montana | Svetlan Kondev | Mutual consent | 21 December 2021 | 9th | Antoni Zdravkov | 21 December 2021[30] |
| Septemvri Sofia | Hristo Arangelov | Mutual consent | 7 January 2022 | 6th | Slavko Matić | 9 January 2022[31][32] |
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Septemvri Sofia (P) | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 77 | 35 | +42 | 70 | Promotion to the First League |
| 2 | Hebar Pazardzhik (P) | 36 | 22 | 4 | 10 | 54 | 33 | +21 | 70 | |
| 3 | Spartak Varna (P) | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 64 | 39 | +25 | 70 | |
| 4 | Etar Veliko Tarnovo (A) | 36 | 21 | 5 | 10 | 69 | 42 | +27 | 68 | Qualification for the promotion play-off |
| 5 | Minyor Pernik | 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 50 | 35 | +15 | 63 | |
| 6 | Ludogorets Razgrad II | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 70 | 48 | +22 | 61 | Ineligible for promotion |
| 7 | Montana | 36 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 39 | 31 | +8 | 58 | |
| 8 | Strumska Slava Radomir | 36 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 40 | 37 | +3 | 54 | |
| 9 | Maritsa Plovdiv | 36 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 51 | 48 | +3 | 50 | |
| 10 | Sportist Svoge | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 38 | 46 | −8 | 48 | |
| 11 | Dobrudzha Dobrich | 36 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 39 | 45 | −6 | 45 | |
| 12 | CSKA 1948 II | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 53 | 50 | +3 | 45 | Ineligible for promotion |
| 13 | Litex Lovech | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 41 | 42 | −1 | 45 | |
| 14 | Yantra Gabrovo | 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 30 | 46 | −16 | 40 | |
| 15 | Sozopol | 36 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 40 | 56 | −16 | 39 | |
| 16 | Botev Plovdiv II | 36 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 34 | 47 | −13 | 38 | Ineligible for promotion |
| 17 | Marek Dupnitsa (R) | 36 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 29 | 46 | −17 | 36 | Relegation to the Third League |
| 18 | Septemvri Simitli (R) | 36 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 41 | 68 | −27 | 33 | |
| 19 | Levski Lom (R, D) | 36 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 12 | 77 | −65 | 8 | Disqualified |
| 20 | Neftochimic Burgas (R, D) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.[33]
(A) Advance to a further round; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Results edit
References edit
- ^ "Втора професионална лига 2021/22".
- ^ "Заповед № РД-01-646/29.07.2021 г." (PDF). mh.government.bg (in Bulgarian). 29 July 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Заповед № РД-01-748/02.09.2021 г." (PDF). mh.government.bg (in Bulgarian). 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Koleva, Hristina (16 September 2021). "БФС отложи 3 мача на Левски Лом заради 12 болни от Ковид 19". trud.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ Hristova, Anna (12 October 2021). "София затяга ограничителните мерки срещу COVID-19 от четвъртък". dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Pehlivanova, Ivomira (19 October 2021). "От четвъртък: Всички дейности на закрито - само срещу "зелен" сертификат (ВИДЕО)". nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Новата COVID заповед: Зеленият сертификат отпада и за футболните фенове". dariknews.bg (in Bulgarian). 23 February 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "От 21 март отпада изискването за "зелен сертификат" за всякакви дейности в България". mh.government.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Second Professional League 2021/2022". bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "BFU confirmed the withdrawal of Neftochimic from the Second League". Sportal.bg. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Официално: Левски (Лом) се отказа от Втора лига". topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 16 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Официално: БФС извади Левски (Лом) от Втора лига". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ a b Втора лига става с 20 отбора заради дублиращ отбор на Ботев Пд
- ^ ""Етър" е първият изпадащ, "Славия" оцеля" (in Bulgarian). btvnovinite.bg. 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Етър показа новите екипи за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). etarvt.bg. 8 August 2020.
- ^ "Бивш голмайстор на Сливен поема дубъла на ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg.
- ^ "Емил Велев - Кокала отново ще е треньор на Левски, но от Лом" (in Bulgarian). offnews.bg.
- ^ "Ботев ІІ стартира подготовка на 14-ти юни, информация за елитните юношески групи". botevplovdiv.bg (in Bulgarian).
- ^ "Обявиха новия наставник на ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg.
- ^ "Ивайло Василев поема "Левски" Лом" (in Bulgarian). BNR.
- ^ "Сашо Ангелов пое Янтра" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg.
- ^ "Атанас Атанасов е новият старши-треньор на Добруджа" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg.
- ^ "ЦСКА 1948 официално обяви новия наставник на дубъла на тима" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg.
- ^ "Ясно е кой ще води Нефтохимик в Пловдив" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg.
- ^ "Владимир Иванов е новият треньор на Нефтохимик". topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "Падна треньорска глава във Втора лига". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "Андрей Андреев вече не е старши треньор на ЦСКА 1948 II". bg.cska1948.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Доскорошният треньор на Струмска слава поема дубъла на ЦСКА 1948". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Сензационни треньорски рокади! Замесени са ЦСКА 1948, Марек и Струмска слава". kotasport.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Монтана има нов треньор". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Септември официално се раздели с Арангелов". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ "Славко Матич е новият треньор на Септември (София)". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ "Second League - Season Rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 14 June 2018.