Thursday, September 05, 2013
Team forfeit cup tie to save players from pain of defeat
A football team in Bulgaria have made the decision to forfeit a cup tie to protect their players from the pain of defeat.
Third tier outfit Shumen had been drawn to play top flight side Chemomorets Burgas in the last 32 of the Bulgarian Cup, with the first leg scheduled for September 18.
However, Georgi Georgiey, president of Shumen has refused to play the cup tie fearful of the damage a heavy defeat from such strong opposition could have on his young players.
Shortly after the draw took place in Sofia on Tuesday, Georgiey issued a statement saying: ‘In order not to burden mentally our young boys, the team refuse to participate in the Bulgarian Cup.’
The Bulgarian Football Union have yet to make an official statement about Shumen’s decision, but it’s expected to hand Chemomorts, who are currently third from bottom in the top flight a walkover.
Third tier outfit Shumen had been drawn to play top flight side Chemomorets Burgas in the last 32 of the Bulgarian Cup, with the first leg scheduled for September 18.
However, Georgi Georgiey, president of Shumen has refused to play the cup tie fearful of the damage a heavy defeat from such strong opposition could have on his young players.
Shortly after the draw took place in Sofia on Tuesday, Georgiey issued a statement saying: ‘In order not to burden mentally our young boys, the team refuse to participate in the Bulgarian Cup.’
The Bulgarian Football Union have yet to make an official statement about Shumen’s decision, but it’s expected to hand Chemomorts, who are currently third from bottom in the top flight a walkover.
