Bulgaria's National coach, and former Bulgarian National footballing legend Hristo Stoichkov, has been banned By FIFA, Footballs World governing body, for Bulgaria's next four International matches.

This ban has been given for Stoichkov allegedly making "Defatory" statements against FIFA officials, subsequent to their last World Cup Europe Zone qualifying match against Sweden, in Stockholm earlier this month.

This decision was taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in a hearing in Zurich on the 22nd of September. The enquiry was convened after reported remarks made by the Bulgarian coach Stoichkov to the media in which he attacked the integrity of the UEFA President, and FIFA vice-president Lennart Johansson.

According to the Committee's report, Stoichkov was quoted in the media as having questioned the legitimacy of the Refereeing, and that Mr. Johansson had "manipulated" the Sweden V Bulgaria qualifying match.

Added to the suspension, the FIFA committee also imposed a fine of CHF 20,000 (approx. £8,500), on the Bulgarian Team Coach.

This means that Stoichkov will miss the next two World Cup European Zone Group 8 qualifying matches, firstly at home to Hungary on the 8th of October, then away to Malta on the 12th.

With Bulgaria now having no chance of qualification for next summers finals, this may spell the end for Stoichkov as National Team Coach, and an appeal is still possible for the National coach, but is it worth it for him, and the Bulgarian FA?

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