CSKA Sofia coach Luboslav Penev must remain in Bulgaria for Fulham clash
01 Dec 2009 - 17:34:42
Local authorities have banned the former Valencia and Atl?co Madrid striker from leaving the country because of a bank demand over a debt of two million levs (£929,000).
The 43-year-old Penev hoped the sanction would be lifted in time for the trip to London but a court in the south-east town of Burgas rejected his appeal.
Related ArticlesHangeland signs Fulham contractCroatian police make match-fixing arrestFulham trio's Europa banRoy Hodgson aggrieved by referee 'injustice'Roma 2 Fulham 1Sport on television"We requested the order barring Penev from leaving Bulgaria to be lifted until the proceedings were resolved but the court rejected it," Penev's lawyer Mihail Hadzhiyanev told reporters on Tuesday.
Hadzhiyanev also said the coach could face disciplinary sanction and even dismissal by CSKA who are bottom of Europa League Group E with one point from four matches, four points behind third-placed Fulham.
Penev said he still hoped that Bulgaria's Supreme Administrative Court would lift the ban.
"I'm extremely disappointed because the ban imposed on me goes against any logic," he said in a statement.
Penev's assistant Radoslav Zdravkov will take charge against Fulham if the ban remains in place.
