SOFIA, Jan 23 - Bulgarian premier league leaders
CSKA Sofia's players turned up 30 minutes late for training on
Wednesday in protest over unpaid wages.
The players went on to the pitch with their pockets pulled
out of their tracksuits to symbolise the lack of money.
"I hope that the club management can find a solution to the
problem," CSKA captain Alexandar Tunchev told reporters. "We are
ready to become champions and play in the Champions League but
we don't want to be deceived."
Club sources said CSKA's management owed several cash
bonuses to the players as well as monthly wages.
"I'll punish those responsible for this act of protest, even
if I have to punish all the players," said CSKA president
Alexandar Tomov.
CSKA executive board member Emil Kostadinov added: "The
players should realise this is Bulgaria and that 10 or 15 days'
delay of their payment is not a delay."
(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Sonia Oxley)