2020–21 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from 2020-21 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria))

First Professional Football League
Season	2020–21
Dates	7 August 2020 – 30 May 2021
Champions	Ludogorets (10th title)
Relegated	Etar Montana
Europa Conference League	CSKA Sofia Lokomotiv Plovdiv Arda
Matches played	223
Goals scored	536 (2.4 per match)
Top goalscorer	Claudiu Keșerü (18 goals)^[1]
Best goalkeeper	Daniel Naumov (12 clean sheets)
Biggest home win	Beroe 6–0 Botev Vratsa (28 August 2020) Lokomotiv Plovdiv 6–0 Botev Plovdiv (28 November 2020) Ludogorets 6–0 Etar (15 February 2021) CSKA Sofia 6–0 Montana (21 April 2021)
Biggest away win	Etar 0–4 Cherno More (16 August 2020) Montana 0–4 Levski Sofia (29 August 2020)
Highest scoring	Montana 3–4 Tsarsko Selo (7 December 2020)
Longest winning run	8 matches CSKA Sofia
Longest unbeaten run	16 matches Ludogorets
Longest winless run	13 matches Etar
Longest losing run	8 matches Botev Vratsa
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

The 2020–21 First Professional Football League, also known as efbet League for sponsorship reasons,^[2] was the 97th season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 73rd since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid, and also the 5th season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. Ludogorets Razgrad were the defending champions for the ninth consecutive time.

The season was initially set to start on 24 July 2020,^[3] but began on 7 August 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation in Bulgaria.^[4]^[5]

On 4 May 2021, Ludogorets Razgrad became champions for a record-breaking 10th consecutive time after winning 3–1 against Beroe.^[6]

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Measures pertaining to fan attendance

All matches were at first envisioned to be held without spectators, at the minimum until 31 August,^[7] but this was reversed in early August (allowing for matches to be held at 50% stadium capacity and up to 1000 people per stand),^[8] reportedly under pressure from fan groups, with the government's inconsistency on the matter in turn criticized in certain circles.^[9] On 27 October 2020, Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov issued a decree valid from 29 October until 12 November, stipulating that all matches are to be held behind closed doors.^[10]^[11] Minister of Youth and Sports Krasen Kralev claimed that some of the fans of certain teams had not been observing the pandemic control protocols, such as social distancing and mask-wearing.^[12] On 12 November 2020, the ban on the presence of spectators was extended at least until 30 November.^[13] In late November 2020 Kralev stated that the return of fans will not be under consideration until March 2021.^[14] Spectators were once again allowed from 24 April 2021 onwards, at 30% stadium capacity, with a maximum of 1000 people per block.^[15] The capacity was expanded to 50% from 19 May 2021.^[16]

Footballers testing positive for the virus, schedule changes and vaccinations

Two Ludogorets Razgrad players tested positive for coronavirus just prior to the beginning of the championship.^[17] In September 2020, the whole Etar team was initially quarantined by the regional health authorities in Veliko Tarnovo after 5 footballers' and 2 staff members' PCR tests indicated that they were infected,^[18] but the match against Lokomotiv eventually went ahead without the date being changed.^[19] The fixture between Arda and Ludogorets Razgrad that was to be held on 4 October 2020 was postponed after more than 10 footballers' tests from the Kardzhali team (as well as a trainer) returned positive results.^[20] In late October 2020, Slavia also saw multiple footballers testing positive for COVID-19.^[21] In early November 2020, four Levski Sofia players were reported to have the infection.^[22] Prior to the start of the November international window, 12 Ludogorets footballers from both the first and the second teams^[23] as well as additional Levski Sofia players from the senior and junior rosters were diagnosed with the virus,^[24] bringing the total number of infected at the latter club to 16.^[25]^[26] This caused some of the players to miss out on national team call-ups and led to the postponement of Ludogorets' Bulgarian Cup match against Sportist Svoge and Levski Sofia's league game against Lokomotiv Plovdiv. Beroe also saw cases of coronavirus among its players.^[27] After initially given the green light to be held on the planned date,^[28] The Eternal Derby match originally scheduled for 21 November was eventually postponed as well,^[29] taking place on 18 December. After reporting a number of COVID-19 cases in July 2020, shortly before the beginning of the championship,^[30] CSKA 1948 saw a boom in infections in May 2021, with 11 footballers testing positive, resulting in the postponement of their first game from the championship group against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.^[31] CSKA 1948 requested that their match against CSKA Sofia (scheduled to be held on 7 May) is moved to a later date as well, but this was not granted by the Football Union. After CSKA 1948 did not show up for the game, on 10 May CSKA Sofia were awarded a 3:0 technical win by the Sports and Technical Commission.^[32] However, on 13 May 2021, the same technical body decided to honour CSKA 1948's appeal, also taking into account the dissatisfaction voiced by Lokomotiv Plovdiv due to competing with CSKA Sofia for the second place in the league standings, and rescheduled the game for 22 May 2021.^[33] Vaccinations among footballers and staff began in March 2021.^[34]

Innovations

The VAR system was introduced at the start of the post-regular season phase, being first used on 3 May 2021 for the match between CSKA Sofia and Arda.^[35]

Teams

Fourteen teams are competing in the league – the top eleven teams from the previous season, the team that finished in first place in the Second League, and the two winners of the promotion/relegation playoffs.^[36]

CSKA 1948 were promoted as champions of the 2019–20 Second League and will make their debut in the top tier of Bulgarian football. The second team to be promoted was Montana, who earned promotion after winning their play-off match against Dunav Ruse.^[37] The club returns after three seasons in the second tier, following their relegation in the 2016–17 season, while Dunav ended their four-year stay in the First League. In the third playoff, Tsarsko Selo remained in the top division by winning against Septemvri Sofia.^[38]

Stadiums and locations

Arda	Beroe	Botev Plovdiv	Botev Vratsa
Arena Arda	Beroe	Futbolen kompleks Botev 1912	Hristo Botev
Capacity: 11,114	Capacity: 12,128	Capacity: 4,000	Capacity: 12,000

Cherno More	Sofia Arda Beroe Botev Plovdiv Lokomotiv Botev Vratsa Cherno More Etar Ludogorets Montana Sofia teams 2020–21 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) (Bulgaria) CSKA Sofia CSKA 1948 Levski Slavia Tsarsko Selo class=notpageimage\| Location of Sofia teams.		CSKA Sofia
Ticha			Balgarska Armia
Capacity: 8,250			Capacity: 22,995

CSKA 1948			Etar
Natsionalen stadion Vasil Levski			Ivaylo
Capacity: 44,000			Capacity: 15,000

Levski			Lokomotiv
Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov			Lokomotiv
Capacity: 25,000			Capacity: 13,220

Ludogorets	Montana	Slavia	Tsarsko Selo
Huvepharma Arena	Ogosta	Slavia	Arena Tsarsko Selo
Capacity: 10,422	Capacity: 6,000	Capacity: 25,556	Capacity: 1,550

Personnel and kits

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	Additional
Arda	Nikolay Kirov	Plamen Krumov	Nike^[39]	efbet	—
Beroe	Petar Kolev	Aleksandar Tsvetkov	Uhlsport^[40]	—	Refan, Ajax Group
Botev Plovdiv	Azrudin Valentić	Todor Nedelev	Uhlsport^[41]	WinBet	—
Botev Vratsa	Veselin Velikov	Valeri Domovchiyski	Erreà^[42]	WinBet	Kozloduy NPP^[43]
Cherno More	Ilian Iliev	Daniel Dimov	Uhlsport^[44]	Armeets	—
CSKA 1948	Todor Kiselichkov (interim)	Galin Ivanov	Adidas^[45]	efbet	Bachkovo
CSKA Sofia	Lyuboslav Penev	Petar Zanev	Adidas	A1	WinBet, Baristo
Etar	Aleksandar Tomash	Hristo Ivanov	Joma^[46]	WinBet	—
Levski Sofia	Slaviša Stojanovič	Nikolay Mihaylov	Joma^[47]	Strabag	PalmsBet, Belfry Group
Lokomotiv Plovdiv	Aleksandar Tunchev	Dimitar Iliev	Uhlsport (until round 29)^[48] Nike (since round 30)^[49]	WinBet	General Broker
Ludogorets	Valdas Dambrauskas	Svetoslav Dyakov	Nike^[50]	efbet	Vivacom
Montana	Svetlan Kondev	Ivan Mihov	Joma	efbet	—
Slavia Sofia	Zlatomir Zagorčić	Georgi Petkov	Joma	bet365	Asset Insurance
Tsarsko Selo	Antoni Zdravkov	Reyan Daskalov	Nike	WinBet	—

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

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Date of vacancy	Position in table	Incoming manager	Date of appointment
CSKA 1948	Yordan Yurukov	Mutual consent	4 June 2020	Pre-season	Krasimir Balakov	4 June 2020^[51]
Slavia Sofia	Zlatomir Zagorčić	Mutual consent	1 September 2020^[52]	13th	Martin Kushev	7 September 2020
Slavia Sofia	Martin Kushev	End of caretaker tenure	17 September 2020	13th	Aleksandr Tarkhanov	17 September 2020^[53]
Botev Plovdiv	Ferario Spasov	Mutual consent	6 October 2020^[54]	12th	Petar Penchev	6 October 2020^[55]
Levski Sofia	Georgi Todorov	Resigned	25 October 2020^[56]	11th	Zhivko Milanov	25 October 2020
CSKA Sofia	Stamen Belchev	Mutual consent	26 October 2020^[57]	5th	Daniel Morales	26 October 2020
Ludogorets	Pavel Vrba	Mutual consent	26 October 2020^[58]	2nd	Stanislav Genchev	26 October 2020
Levski Sofia	Zhivko Milanov	End of caretaker tenure	10 November 2020	12th	Slaviša Stojanovič	10 November 2020^[59]
Etar	Petko Petkov	Mutual consent	10 November 2020^[60]	14th	Kaloyan Chakarov	11 November 2020
Lokomotiv Plovdiv	Bruno Akrapović	Signed by CSKA Sofia	11 November 2020	2nd	Aleksandar Tunchev	11 November 2020^[61]
CSKA Sofia	Daniel Morales	End of caretaker tenure	11 November 2020	5th	Bruno Akrapović	11 November 2020^[62]
Etar	Kaloyan Chakarov	End of caretaker tenure	19 November 2020	14th	Aleksandar Tomash	19 November 2020^[63]
Montana	Nikola Spasov	Death	23 November 2020^[64]	12th	Atanas Atanasov	1 December 2020^[65]
Botev Plovdiv	Petar Penchev	Demoted to youth team	7 December 2020	10th	Stefan Stoyanov	7 December 2020^[66]
Ludogorets	Stanislav Genchev	Demoted to assistant	3 January 2021	1st	Valdas Dambrauskas	3 January 2021^[67]
Botev Plovdiv	Stefan Stoyanov	End of caretaker tenure	8 January 2021	10th	Azrudin Valentić	8 January 2021^[68]
Botev Vratsa	Antoni Zdravkov	Resigned	13 March 2021^[69]	12th	Veselin Velikov	15 March 2021^[70]
CSKA 1948	Krasimir Balakov	Demoted	21 March 2021^[71]	6th	Rosen Kirilov	23 March 2021^[72]
CSKA Sofia	Bruno Akrapović	Sacked	28 March 2021^[73]	3rd	Lyuboslav Penev	28 March 2021^[74]
Tsarsko Selo	Lyuboslav Penev	Signed by CSKA Sofia	28 March 2021	9th	Antoni Zdravkov	29 March 2021^[75]
Slavia Sofia	Aleksandr Tarkhanov	Mutual consent	11 April 2021	13th	Zlatomir Zagorčić	11 April 2021^[76]
Beroe	Dimitar Dimitrov	Resigned	21 April 2021^[77]	5th	Petar Kolev	22 April 2021^[78]
CSKA 1948	Rosen Kirilov	Mutual consent	24 April 2021^[79]	6th	Todor Kiselichkov	24 April 2021
Montana	Atanas Atanasov	Mutual consent	15 May 2021^[80]	14th	Svetlan Kondev	15 May 2021

Regular season

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Ludogorets Razgrad	26	20	4	2	59	18	+41	64	Qualification for the Championship group
2	Lokomotiv Plovdiv	26	15	7	4	41	19	+22	52
3	CSKA Sofia	26	14	8	4	39	20	+19	50
4	Arda	26	12	9	5	36	29	+7	45
5	CSKA 1948	26	10	8	8	34	30	+4	38
6	Beroe	26	10	7	9	38	28	+10	37^[a]
7	Cherno More	26	10	7	9	27	25	+2	37^[a]	Qualification for the Europa Conference League group
8	Tsarsko Selo	26	9	7	10	29	27	+2	34
9	Levski Sofia	26	7	7	12	25	27	−2	28
10	Botev Plovdiv	26	5	9	12	25	46	−21	24
11	Slavia Sofia	26	6	5	15	19	40	−21	23	Qualification for the Relegation group
12	Botev Vratsa	26	6	4	16	26	39	−13	22^[b]
13	Etar	26	4	10	12	20	45	−25	22^[b]
14	Montana	26	4	8	14	21	46	−25	20

Source: Soccerway, Bulgarian Football
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.^[81]
Notes:

^ ^a ^b Head-to-head points (GD): Beroe 3 (+3), Cherno More 3 (-3).
^ ^a ^b Head-to-head points (GD): Botev Vratsa 4, Etar 1.

Results

Home \ Away	ARD	BSZ	BPD	BVR	CHM	CSK	CSS	ETA	LEV	LPD	LUD	MON	SLA	TSS
Arda	—	1–0	3–2	3–2	1–0	1–1	1–1	3–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	3–0	2–1	2–0
Beroe	0–1	—	3–0	6–0	4–0	0–0	1–0	1–2	2–1	1–3	1–4	0–0	1–1	0–1
Botev Plovdiv	0–2	3–3	—	2–0	0–0	3–2	0–3	1–1	2–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–1	0–0
Botev Vratsa	0–0	1–2	1–2	—	0–1	0–0	1–2	5–1	1–3	0–1	3–1	2–0	1–2	0–3
Cherno More	2–0	2–1	1–0	2–1	—	1–2	1–1	0–1	0–0	0–0	1–4	3–0	3–2	1–0
CSKA 1948	0–2	1–0	5–0	1–0	0–0	—	2–2	5–1	0–0	1–0	0–3	2–0	5–1	2–1
CSKA Sofia	1–1	1–1	2–1	2–1	1–0	2–0	—	1–0	1–0	0–0	2–2	6–0	1–0	1–0
Etar	0–0	2–3	0–0	0–0	0–4	3–1	2–2	—	0–0	1–3	0–2	0–0	1–1	1–0
Levski Sofia	1–2	0–2	2–2	0–0	1–2	3–0	0–2	2–1	—	1–0	0–3	2–0	1–0	0–1
Lokomotiv Plovdiv	0–0	1–1	6–0	2–1	2–1	1–1	2–1	1–1	1–0	—	3–2	2–2	2–0	2–0
Ludogorets	1–0	2–0	2–1	2–1	1–0	4–0	1–0	6–0	1–0	3–1	—	1–0	3–0	1–1
Montana	3–3	1–1	3–1	0–1	1–1	1–0	1–2	1–0	0–4	0–1	1–3	—	2–1	3–4
Slavia Sofia	3–2	0–2	0–0	0–2	1–1	1–3	0–1	0–0	1–0	0–2	0–2	2–1	—	1–0
Tsarsko Selo	4–0	0–2	2–2	1–2	1–0	0–0	2–1	3–0	2–2	0–3	1–1	0–0	2–0	—

Source: Bulgarian Football
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Positions by round

Team ╲ Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
Team ╲ Round
Ludogorets	11	8	3	2	1	2	1	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Lokomotiv Plovdiv	13	6	4	3	6	5	2	1	1	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	3	3	3	3	3	2	2	2	2	2
CSKA Sofia	7	4	2	1	3	4	5	4	4	5	5	3	3	4	3	3	2	2	2	2	2	3	3	3	3	3
Arda	5	9	5	6	5	3	4	5	5	7	6	5	4	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
CSKA 1948	8	11	11	11	8	10	9	7	7	4	3	4	5	6	5	6	6	6	6	6	7	6	6	6	6	5
Beroe	3	3	7	4	2	1	3	3	3	3	4	6	6	7	6	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	6
Cherno More	9	1	9	10	10	12	12	11	10	6	8	7	7	5	7	7	7	7	7	7	6	7	7	7	7	7
Tsarsko Selo	1	2	1	5	4	7	8	6	6	8	9	9	9	11	8	8	9	9	8	8	8	9	9	8	8	8
Levski Sofia	12	12	12	8	7	6	6	9	9	11	12	12	12	10	11	9	8	8	9	9	9	8	8	9	9	9
Botev Plovdiv	4	5	8	9	9	11	11	12	12	9	11	10	10	9	10	12	12	12	12	12	10	10	10	10	10	10
Slavia Sofia	10	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	11	13	11	12	13	11	12	11
Botev Vratsa	2	7	10	12	12	9	7	8	8	10	7	8	8	8	9	10	10	11	13	10	12	13	14	13	11	12
Etar	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	11	12	13	13
Montana	6	10	6	7	11	8	10	10	11	12	10	11	11	12	12	11	11	10	10	11	13	11	12	14	14	14

Source: Bulgarian Football

Results by round

Team ╲ Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
Arda	D	D	W	W	D	W	L	D	D	D	W	D	W	W	W	D	W	W	L	W	L	L	D	W	W	L
Beroe	W	D	D	W	W	W	L	L	D	W	L	W	D	W	L	W	W	D	L	L	D	W	L	L	L	D
Botev Plovdiv	W	L	D	L	D	L	W	L	D	W	D	D	L	L	L	L	L	D	D	D	W	D	W	L	L	L
Botev Vratsa	W	L	L	L	D	W	W	D	D	L	W	L	L	L	L	L	L	L	L	W	L	L	L	D	W	L
Cherno More	D	W	L	L	D	L	W	L	W	W	L	D	W	W	L	L	D	L	W	L	W	D	D	D	W	W
CSKA 1948	D	D	L	D	W	L	W	W	D	W	W	L	D	L	W	D	W	L	D	L	L	W	W	D	L	W
CSKA Sofia	D	W	W	W	D	D	L	D	D	D	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	L	D	W	L	D	L	W	W
Etar	L	L	L	L	L	L	L	D	D	L	L	D	D	W	W	D	L	D	D	W	L	D	W	D	L	D
Levski Sofia	L	D	L	W	W	W	L	D	L	L	L	W	L	L	L	D	W	D	D	D	W	W	D	L	L	L
Lokomotiv Plovdiv	L	W	W	W	L	W	W	W	D	W	D	L	D	W	W	W	D	W	D	D	D	W	W	W	W	L
Ludogorets	L	W	W	W	W	D	W	D	D	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	L	W	W	W	D	W	W	W	W
Montana	D	D	W	L	L	W	L	W	L	L	D	L	D	L	L	D	L	W	D	L	L	D	L	L	L	D
Slavia Sofia	D	L	L	L	L	L	W	L	W	L	D	W	D	L	L	L	L	D	W	L	W	L	L	W	L	D
Tsarsko Selo	W	D	W	D	D	L	L	W	D	L	L	L	L	L	W	D	L	D	W	W	L	D	L	W	W	W

Source: Bulgarian Football
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Championship round

Championship round table

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification	LUD	LPD	CSS	ARD	CSK	BSZ
1	Ludogorets Razgrad (C)	31	22	4	5	69	29	+40	70	Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round	—	1–2	—	4–1	—	3–1
2	Lokomotiv Plovdiv	31	17	10	4	48	23	+25	61	Qualification for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round^[a]	—	—	2–0	—	0–0	0–0
3	CSKA Sofia	31	17	8	6	46	24	+22	59		4–1	—	—	1–0	—	2–0
4	Arda (O)	31	13	11	7	42	37	+5	50	Qualification for the Europa Conference League play-off	—	3–3	—	—	0–0	—
5	CSKA 1948	31	12	11	8	41	34	+7	47		3–1	—	1–0	—	—	—
6	Beroe	31	10	9	12	42	38	+4	39		—	—	—	0–2	3–3	—

Source: Soccerway
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.^[82]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
Notes:

^ CSKA Sofia qualified for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round by winning the 2020–21 Bulgarian Cup.

Positions by round

Below the positions per round are shown. As teams did not all start with an equal number of points, the initial pre-playoffs positions are also given.

Team ╲ Round	26	27	28	29	30	31
Team ╲ Round
Ludogorets Razgrad	1	1	1	1	1	1
Lokomotiv Plovdiv	2	2	2	2	2	2
CSKA Sofia	3	3	3	3	3	3
Arda	4	4	4	4	4	4
CSKA 1948	5	5	5	5	5	5
Beroe	6	6	6	6	6	6

Source: Bulgarian Football

Europa Conference League round

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Europa Conference League round table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification	CHM	LEV	TSS	BPD
1	Cherno More	32	12	9	11	37	34	+3	45	Qualification for the Europa Conference League play-off	—	1–2	3–3	3–1
2	Levski Sofia	32	11	8	13	34	32	+2	41		2–1	—	1–1	1–2
3	Tsarsko Selo	32	9	10	13	33	39	−6	37		0–1	0–2	—	0–0
4	Botev Plovdiv	32	7	11	14	34	52	−18	32		1–1	0–1	5–0	—

Source: Bulgarian Football
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.^[83]

Positions by round

Below the positions per round are shown. As teams did not all start with an equal number of points, the initial pre-playoffs positions are also given.

Team ╲ Round	26	27	28	29	30	31	32
Team ╲ Round
Cherno More	7	7	7	7	7	7	7
Levski Sofia	9	9	9	8	8	8	8
Tsarsko Selo	8	8	8	9	9	9	9
Botev Plovdiv	10	10	10	10	10	10	10

Updated to match(es) played on 23 May 2021. Source: Bulgarian Football

Relegation round

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Relegation round table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation	SLA	BVR	MON	ETA
1	Slavia Sofia	32	9	7	16	28	44	−16	34		—	2–0	1–1	0–2
2	Botev Vratsa (O)	32	8	6	18	31	45	−14	30	Qualification for the relegation play-off	1–1	—	1–0	2–0
3	Montana (R)	32	6	10	16	26	52	−26	28^[a]	Relegation to the Second League	0–2	1–1	—	1–0
4	Etar (R)	32	6	10	16	25	53	−28	28^[a]	Relegation to the Second League	0–3	2–0	1–2	—

^ ^a ^b Head-to-head points: Montana 10, Etar 1.

Positions by round

Below the positions per round are shown. As teams did not all start with an equal number of points, the initial pre-playoffs positions are also given.

Team ╲ Round	26	27	28	29	30	31	32
Team ╲ Round
Slavia Sofia	11	12	11	11	11	11	11
Botev Vratsa	12	11	12	12	12	12	12
Montana	14	14	13	13	14	13	13
Etar	13	13	14	14	13	14	14

Updated to match(es) played on 21 May 2021. Source: Bulgarian Football

Europa Conference League play-off

30 May 2021

19:00 EEST

Arda	1–0	Cherno More
Kokonov 18'	Report

Arena Arda, Kardzhali

Attendance: 3,500

Referee: Stanislav Todorov (Shumen)

Promotion/relegation play-off

28 May 2021

19:00 EEST

Botev Vratsa	1–0	Septemvri Sofia
Zlatinski 76' (pen.)	Report

Slavia, Sofia

Attendance: 600

Referee: Dragomir Draganov (Varna)

Season statistics

Top scorers

As of 30 May 2021^[1]

Rank	Player	Club	Goals
1	Claudiu Keșerü	Ludogorets	18
2	Atanas Iliev	Botev Plovdiv	16
3	Mathias Coureur	Cherno More	15
4	Martin Kamburov	Beroe^[a]	14
5	Dimitar Iliev	Lokomotiv Plovdiv	13
6	Preslav Borukov	Etar	12
7	Alioune Fall	Beroe	10
8	Galin Ivanov	CSKA 1948	9
	Georgi Minchev	Lokomotiv Plovdiv
	Ivan Kokonov	Arda
11	Ali Sowe	CSKA Sofia	8
	Daniel Genov	Botev Vratsa
	Spas Delev	Arda
	Tonislav Yordanov	Arda

Clean sheets

As of 30 May 2021

Rank	Player	Club	Clean sheets
1	Daniel Naumov	CSKA 1948	12
2	Ivan Karadzhov	Arda	11
3	Gustavo Busatto	CSKA Sofia	10
4	Ilko Pirgov	Lokomotiv Plovdiv	8
	Krasimir Kostov	Botev Vratsa
	Johny Placide	Tsarsko Selo
	Martin Lukov	Lokomotiv Plovdiv
8	Georgi Georgiev	Cherno More	6
	Hristo Ivanov	Etar
	Zvonimir Mikulić	Levski Sofia
11	Hristiyan Vasilev	Beroe	5
11	Plamen Iliev	Ludogorets	5

Notes

^ Includes 9 goals for CSKA 1948

References

^ ^a ^b "Players: Topscorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
^ "Обявиха официално новото име и лого на Първа лига" [Officially announced the new name and logo of First League.]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-02-14.
^ "Официално: Отложиха старта на efbet Лига". nova.bg. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
^ "Решения след заседанието на Изпълнителния комитет на БФС". Bulgarian Football Union. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
^ "Решение СТК 28.07.2020". Bulgarian Football Union. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
^ "10! Една декада Лудогорец е на върха на българския футбол". sportal.bg. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ Dimitrov, Elin, ed. (31 July 2020). "Мачовете без публика на стадионите до края на август". actualno.com. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
^ "Публика ще бъде допускана до спортни състезания на открито при спазване на въведените със заповед на здравния министър противоепидемични мерки". mh.government.bg. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
^ "Поискай и ще ти се даде! Отново фенове по стадионите" (in Bulgarian). mediapool.bg. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
^ "Преустановяват се присъствените учебни занятия за учениците в гимназиите и висшите учебни заведения". mysofia.bg. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
^ "Затвориха стадионите в България до 12 ноември! Публика само на Sofia Open". sportal.bg. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
^ "Министър Кралев: Имам известни забележки към феновете на някои от футболните отбори". livetv.sx (citing sportal.bg). 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
^ "Без публика по стадионите до 30 ноември!". livetv.sx (citing sportal.bg). 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
^ "Кралев: Преди март няма как да се мисли за отваряне на стадионите" (in Bulgarian). dnevnik.bg. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
^ "От утре, 24 април, се възобновява провеждането на присъствени групови занятия в езикови, образователни и други обучителни центрове и школи" (in Bulgarian). mh.government.bg. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
^ "От утре спортните състезания ще се провеждат при 50% заетост на местата за публика" (in Bulgarian). mh.government.bg. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
^ "Двама от "Лудогорец" заразени с коронавирус". monitor.bg. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
^ "Поставиха цял отбор от Първа лига под карантина заради коронавирус. Мачът на Етър срещу Локомотив (Пловдив) днес вероятно няма да се играе". corner.dir.bg. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
^ "Мач ще има: РЗИ Велико Търново отмени карантината на "Етър". "Болярите" посрещат "Локомотив" Пловдив днес". btvnovinite.bg. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
^ "БФС отложи Арда - Лудогорец и пренасрочи мача на ЦСКА". topsport.bg. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
^ "Мощна вълна от COVID-19 заля Славия". livetv.sx (citing sportal.bg). 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
^ "Лоши новини за Левски! Четирима футболисти са с COVID-19". livetv.sx (citing sportal.bg). 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
^ "ШОК В ЛУДОГОРЕЦ: 12 футболисти са с COVID-19". tribune.bg. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
^ "Нови положителни проби за коронавирус в Левски". topsport.bg. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
^ "Проблемите пред Дерменджиев нямат край! Футболисти на Левски и Лудогорец изгърмяха с COVID-19". livetv.sx (citing sportal.bg). 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
^ "16-и футболист на Левски с коронавирус". sportal.bg. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
^ "Нови трима национали са заразени с COVID-19". livetv.sx (citing sportal.bg). 16 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
^ "Няма да отлагат вечното дерби, ЦСКА - "Левски" ще cе игpае в cъбота". 24chasa.bg. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
^ "ЗАРАДИ КОРОНАВИРУСА: Отложиха мача ЦСКА - "Левски" и конгреса на БФС". nova.bg. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
^ "Oще трима от ЦСКА 1948 с COVID-19". sportal.bg. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Бум на заразени в "ЦСКА 1948" усложни програмата в Първа лига". dnevnik.bg. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Официално: ЦСКА 1948 със служебна загуба срещу ЦСКА. Решението е на Спортно-техническата комисия към Българския футболен съюз". btvnovinite.bg. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
^ Kyrtunov, Bozhidar (13 May 2021). "БФС размисли, отмени служебната победа на ЦСКА и насрочи мач с "ЦСКА 1948". dnevnik.bg. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
^ "Масова ваксинация на "Армията"". gong.bg. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Дебют на VAR в помощ на българското съдийство. Представят системата на ЦСКА - "Арда". btvnovinite.bg. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Състав на Първа и Втора професионална лига за сезон 2019/2020" (in Bulgarian). bfunion.bg. 4 June 2019.
^ "Монтана влезе в елита след победа над Дунав" [Montana enters the elite division after a victory over Dunav]. dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-07-17.
^ "Царско село остана в efbet Лига след показно срещу Септември" [Tsarsko Selo stays in efbet League after a show vs. Septemvri]. gong.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-07-18.
^ "Арда отново залага на най-доброто за новия сезон" (in Bulgarian). fcarda.bg. 6 August 2020.
^ "Представяме ви новия екип на Берое" (in Bulgarian). beroe.bg. 15 July 2020.
^ "Официалният екип на Ботев (Пловдив) за сезон 2020/2021" (in Bulgarian). botevplovdiv.bg. 22 July 2020.
^ "Спорт Депо стана партньор на Ботев Враца" (in Bulgarian). botev-vratsa.com. 31 May 2019.
^ "АЕЦ "Козлодуй" стана спонсор на Ботев (Враца)" (in Bulgarian). blitz.bg. 15 February 2016.
^ "Представяме ви новия екип на Черно море за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). chernomorerpfc.bg. 14 August 2020.
^ "ЦСКА подписа с Adidas за 3 години" (in Bulgarian). cska1948.bg. 5 May 2020.
^ "Етър показа новите екипи за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). etarvt.bg. 8 August 2020.
^ "Представяне на екипировката на ПФК Левски за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). levski.bg. 9 August 2020.
^ "Новите екипи за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). lokomotivpd.com. 31 July 2020.
^ "Локомотив ще играе с новите си екипи срещу ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). lokomotivpd.com. 18 May 2021.
^ "Лудогорец представи новите екипи за сезон 2020/2021" (in Bulgarian). ludogorets.com. 21 July 2020.
^ "Красимир Балъков: ЦСКА 1948 няма да се бори с грандовете" (in Bulgarian). bgdnes.bg. 4 June 2020.
^ "Официално: Славия се раздели със Златомир Загорчич" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 1 September 2020.
^ "Александър Тарханов поема Славия" (in Bulgarian). pfcslavia.com. 17 September 2020.
^ "Ботев се раздели с Ферарио Спасов" (in Bulgarian). botevplovdiv.bg. 6 October 2020.
^ "Георги Онов и Петър Пенчев временно поеха Ботев" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 6 October 2020.
^ "Левски прие оставката на Георги Тодоров" (in Bulgarian). 24chasa.bg. 25 October 2020.
^ "Официално: Стамен Белчев вече не е треньор на ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). cska.bg. 26 October 2020.
^ "Лудогорец и Павел Върба се разбраха за прекратяване на договора" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 26 October 2020.
^ "Наско Сираков представи новия треньор на Левски Славиша Стоянович" (in Bulgarian). levski.bg. 10 November 2020.
^ ""Етър" и Петко Петков се разделиха по взаимно съгласие" (in Bulgarian). etarvt.bg. 10 November 2020.
^ "Александър Тунчев официално пое Локомотив" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 11 November 2020.
^ "Официално: Бруно Акрапович пое ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). cska.bg. 11 November 2020.
^ "Александър Томаш е новият старши треньор на "Етър"" (in Bulgarian). etarvt.bg. 19 November 2020.
^ "Трагедия разтърси българския футбол! Никола Спасов почина след тежка борба с COVID-19" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 23 November 2020.
^ "Монтана с нов треньор" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 1 December 2020.
^ "Стефан Стоянов ще води Ботев в оставащите мачове до края на 2020 година" (in Bulgarian). botevplovdiv.bg. 7 December 2020.
^ "Литовец е новият треньор на Лудогорец" (in Bulgarian). ludogorets.com. 3 January 2021.
^ "Азрудин Валентич е новият треньор на Ботев Пловдив" (in Bulgarian). botevplovdiv.bg. 8 January 2021.
^ "Тони Здравков вече не е треньор на Ботев Враца" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 13 March 2021.
^ "Веселин Великов е новият треньор на Ботев" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 15 March 2021.
^ "Красимир Балъков вече не е силният човек във ФК ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 21 March 2021.
^ "Росен Кирилов стана треньор на ФК ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 23 March 2021.
^ "Официално: ЦСКА се раздели с Бруно Акрапович" (in Bulgarian). cska.bg. 28 March 2021.
^ "Любослав Пенев е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). cska.bg. 28 March 2021.
^ "Официално: Антони Здравков пое Царско село" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 29 March 2021.
^ "Официално: Славия обяви завръщането на Загорчич" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 11 April 2021.
^ "Официално: Херо напусна Берое" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 21 April 2021.
^ "Ясен е новият треньорски щаб на "Берое"" (in Bulgarian). beroe.bg. 22 April 2021.
^ "Росен Кирилов и ЦСКА 1948 се разделиха" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 24 April 2021.
^ "Монтана остана без треньор" (in Bulgarian). bnt.bg. 15 May 2021.
^ "A PFG - Regular season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
^ "Наредба за първенствата и турнирите по футбол в системата на БФС за сезон 2019/2020 година" (PDF) (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
^ "Наредба за първенствата и турнирите по футбол в системата на БФС за сезон 2019/2020 година" (PDF) (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
^ "Наредба за първенствата и турнирите по футбол в системата на БФС за сезон 2019/2020 година" (PDF) (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. Retrieved 15 June 2020.

v t e First Professional Football League
2024–25 clubs	Arda Beroe Botev Plovdiv Botev Vratsa Cherno More CSKA 1948 CSKA Sofia Hebar Pazardzhik Krumovgrad Levski Sofia Lokomotiv Plovdiv Lokomotiv Sofia Ludogorets Septemvri Sofia Spartak Varna Slavia Sofia
Stadiums	Arena Arda Beroe Botev 1912 Football Complex Hristo Botev (Vratsa) Ticha Vasil Levski Balgarska Armia Georgi Asparuhov Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) Lokomotiv (Sofia) Huvepharma Arena Hristo Botev (Blagoevgrad) Slavia Stadion Spartak Stadion Georgi Benkovski
Former clubs*	Akademik Sofia (18) Akademik Svishtov (4) Belasitsa (12) FC Chernomorets (29) PSFC Chernomorets (7) Chernomorets Burgas Sofia (1) Dimitrovgrad (1) Dobrudzha (14) Dunav (25) Etar (24) Etar 1924 (1) Kaliakra (2) Litex (21) Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa (10) Lokomotiv Mezdra (2) Lyubimets 2007 (1) Maritsa (4) Metalurg (2) Minyor (38) Montana (10) Neftochimic (14) Nesebar (1) Pirin 1922 (9) Pirin GD (2) Rilski Sportist (2) Rodopa (4) Rozova Dolina (1) Septemvri (5) Shumen (7) Sliven (25) Spartak Pleven (35) Spartak Plovdiv (17) Spartak Sofia (15) Spartak Varna (43) Sportist (1) Svetkavitsa (1) Velbazhd (7) Vereya (3) Vidima-Rakovski (5) Vihren (4) Vitosha Bistritsa (3) Yantra (7)
Former clubs (from Macedonia & Thrace)	Belomorets Kavala Bitola Gotse Delchev Prilep Makedonija Bitola Makedonija Skopje Vardar Skopje ZhSK Skopje
Competition	Champions Players (foreign)
Associated competitions	Second League Third League Bulgarian Cup Bulgarian Supercup UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa League UEFA Conference League
Seasons	1948–49 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
* In the brackets is the number of seasons in the league.

v t e Bulgarian football championship seasons
State Championship (National Football Division)	1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1941 1942 1943 1944
Republic Championship	1945 1946 1947 1948
A Group	1948–49 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16
First League	2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25

v t e 2020–21 in Bulgarian football
« 2019–20 2021–22 »
Domestic leagues	First League Second League Third League
Domestic cups	Bulgarian Cup (Final) Bulgarian Supercup
European competitions	Champions League Europa League
Related to national team	UEFA Euro 2020 qualification (play-offs) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League (League B) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (Group C) Georgi Dermendzhiev Yasen Petrov
Club seasons
First League	Arda Beroe Botev Plovdiv Botev Vratsa Cherno More CSKA CSKA 1948 Etar Levski Lokomotiv Plovdiv Ludogorets Montana Slavia Tsarsko Selo
Summer transfers Winter transfers

v t e 2020–21 in European men's football (UEFA)
Domestic leagues	Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus '20 '21 Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia '20 '21 Faroe Islands '20 '21 Finland '20 '21 France Georgia '20 '21 Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland '20 '21 Israel Italy Kazakhstan '20 '21 Kosovo Latvia '20 '21 Lithuania '20 '21 Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Northern Ireland Norway '20 '21 Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland '20 '21 Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden '20 '21 Switzerland Turkey Ukraine Wales
Domestic cups	Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands '20 '21 Finland '20 '21 France Georgia '20 '21 Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland '20 '21 Israel Italy Kazakhstan '21 Kosovo Latvia '20 '21 Liechtenstein Lithuania '20 '21 Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Northern Ireland Norway '20 Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland '20 '21 Romania Russia San Marino Scotland '19–'20 '20–'21 Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain '19–'20 '20–'21 Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine ~~Wales~~
League cups	England Iceland Israel Portugal Republic of Ireland '20 Scotland Wales
Supercups	Albania Andorra Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus England Estonia '20 '21 Faroe Islands France Georgia Germany Iceland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Lithuania Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland '20 '21 Romania Russia San Marino Spain Turkey Ukraine
UEFA competitions	Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round group stage knockout phase Final Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round Champions Path Main Path group stage knockout phase Final Super Cup ~~Youth League~~
International competitions	UEFA Euro 2020 qualification 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 2020–21 UEFA Nations League League A League B League C League D 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup 2021 FIFA U-17 World Cup 2021 Euro Under-21 qualification 2021 Euro Under-19 qualification 2021 Euro Under-17 qualification Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Categories:

Hidden categories: