World Football Elite Expected to Gather in Sofia in June

Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov. File photo

The world football elite is expected to gather in Sofia on June 12 for the regular congress of FIFPro, the worldwide representative organisation for all professional football players.

Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov had been invited to attend the congress as VIP guest and confirmed his participation at the grand opening ceremony, which will be held at the Hilton hotel.

Stoichkov will attend the congress in his capacity as an honorary chairperson of the Association of Professional Bulgarian Football Players, daily Trud reports.

Stoichkov was for the last time in Bulgaria at the end of March, when he donated replicas of his Ballon d'Or and European Golden Shoe awards to the museum of CSKA Sofia.

Bulgaria has been a member of FIFPro, which was established in 1965 and currently consists of 58 national players' associations representing 65 000 professional footballers, for eight years.

Being a host, Bulgaria had invited 120 international guests and invitations will be sent to Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and President Rosen Plevneliev.

The President of UEFA Michel Platini frequently participates in these events and it would not be a surprise if the congress is also attended by Borisov and Plevneliev.

FIFPro has an important say in the taking of decisions concerning international football, as it speaks on behalf of all professional football players.

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