Iliyan Filipov, the president and majority shareholder of Bulgarian top-flight club Botev Plovdiv, has been shot dead at the age of 53. The shooting took place late at night at his property in Plovdiv, about 90 miles from the capital, Sofia.
Police investigation underway
Police have launched an immediate investigation and have cordoned off the area, with main entry points blocked. The Bulgarian interior ministry confirmed in a statement that a report was received at approximately 1am concerning a man who had been shot at an address in a Plovdiv neighbourhood.
“His death was confirmed at the scene, and an investigation into the serious crime has been launched. Teams from the Plovdiv Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate ‘National Police’ are working on the case,” the statement said. “The area around the crime scene has been cordoned off, and traffic on several streets has been restricted due to the investigation.”
Club pays tribute
Filipov made his fortune by founding PIMK, a major Bulgarian transport firm. He helped lift Botev out of financial difficulty last summer.
In an emotional statement on social media, the club wrote: “Botev Plovdiv FC expresses its profound grief over the tragic death of the club’s president, Iliyan Filipov. The management, players and staff of the club extend their deepest condolences to his family, relatives and friends. Iliyan Filipov will forever remain a part of Botev Plovdiv’s history. His contribution to saving the club in the summer of 2025 and his dedication to the team’s cause will be remembered by everyone in our family. His name will remain written in golden letters for generations to come following the successful completion of the reconstruction of Hristo Botev Stadium, which has made it the most modern sports facility in Bulgaria.”
Next fixture
Botev are next due to play on Saturday, 10 October, when they host Slavia Sofia in the Bulgarian top division. Their last game before the international break saw them win 3-0 against Septemvri.
The team currently sit sixth in the league, having won five, drawn one and lost four of their 10 games so far.
