Iliyan Filipov and Botev Plovdiv
30 September 2026
Botev Plovdiv owner Iliyan Filipov was shot dead in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv early Wednesday. Police later arrested a 51-year-old former employee of Filipov’s transport and construction company as the investigation into the killing continued.
Officers were called to the Hristo Smirnenski district at about 1am local time and secured the area before launching a wider search. Botev cancelled training, supporters gathered at Hristo Botev Stadium and the club began seeking a new date for its Slavia Sofia match.