Cherno More Varna fans called a protest against the owners, backed coach Iliev
Cherno More's fan club called a protest at Ticha before the 27 October game with Septemvri: against the owners, for coach Ilian Iliev. Cherno More won 2-0.
⏹ Ended (October 27, 2026). This page is kept for reference.
Cherno More’s National Fan Club called supporters to a protest at Ticha Stadium before the home match against Septemvri Sofia on Tuesday 27 October 2026, scheduled for 17:00. The protest was aimed at the club’s owners (TIM) and management, not at the coach: the fans said they firmly backed head coach Ilian Iliev. Cherno More were bottom of the efbet League after 11 games.
Update (1 November 2026): the match is over. Cherno More beat Septemvri Sofia 2-0 at Ticha on 27 October, according to the club’s official site and FotMob. This page is kept as an archive.
Why are the fans protesting?
According to Varnautre and Budna Varna (25 October), the fan club blames the leadership for the team’s slide and wants a complete change at the top, including the removal of people it calls incompetent. Fans also criticise some players for a lack of heart on the pitch. They stressed that turning up was not a vote of confidence in the owners: they would support the club’s name and badge, and the coach, but nobody else. The call was for a full stand rather than a boycott of the match.
What does Ilian Iliev say?
On 23 October Iliev said in an official statement that he is staying, even though he had twice been ready to step down, Varna Online reports. He said the responsibility for the sporting results is his alone, admitted the new signings have not yet settled into the team’s style, and called the next six matches extremely important. He asked fans to stand behind the team. The fan club calls him “one of us – before, now and forever”.
Where does Cherno More stand in the efbet League?
Bottom of the 14-team table, as of 26 October 2026 (klasirane.bg and A PFG):
| Pos | Club | Played | W-D-L | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 12 | 1-6-5 | 13:20 | 9 |
| 12 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 11 | 2-2-7 | 6:14 | 8 |
| 13 | Septemvri Sofia | 11 | 2-2-7 | 10:21 | 8 |
| 14 | Cherno More | 11 | 1-3-7 | 11:22 | 6 |
That set up the match scheduled for 27 October as a direct duel with the team just above: a home win would lift Cherno More level on points with Septemvri. Varna’s other top-flight club, Spartak Varna, was 7th with 13 points.
What was known about the match arrangements?
- Venue: Ticha Stadium, at the northern end of the Sea Garden in the Chayka area.
- Kick-off: 17:00 local time according to the fan club and A PFG; the league’s own site showed 15:00.
- Tickets: none of the sources we checked listed prices or sales points before the match.
- Fans’ plan: the fan club asked supporters to fill their sector early rather than boycott the game.
Basketball: Cherno More Navibulgar beat CSKA by 33
Better news came from the basketball court. Cherno More Navibulgar won 95:62 away at CSKA in the Bulgarian championship, BNR Varna reported on 25 October. Varna also took the third and fourth quarters 41:29 combined, and Dyshawn Burke scored 17 points.
More from Varna
Driving to the stadium? Read about the new right-turn traffic signals in Varna. Other city news: the Varna culture budget dispute.
Sources
- Varnautre – Cherno More fans call a protest on Tuesday but stand firmly behind Ilian Iliev (25 Oct 2026)
- Budna Varna – Cherno More fans will be at the stadium on Tuesday for the club's honour (25 Oct 2026)
- Varna Online – Ilian Iliev stays at Cherno More after twice being ready to resign (23 Oct 2026)
- klasirane.bg – efbet League 2026-27 table
- A PFG – fixtures and table
- efbet League – official site
- BNR Varna – Cherno More Navibulgar beat CSKA by 33 points (25 Oct 2026)
- PFC Cherno More – official site, result: Cherno More 2:0 Septemvri Sf, 27.10.2026 (checked 1 Nov 2026)
- FotMob – Cherno More Varna fixtures and results (checked 1 Nov 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Why are Cherno More fans protesting?
Because of poor results and distrust of the owners and management. The National Fan Club wants a complete change of leadership and criticises some players' commitment, but says it backs coach Ilian Iliev.
Where is Cherno More in the efbet League table?
Last, 14th of 14, with 6 points from 11 matches (1 win, 3 draws, 7 losses) as of 26 October 2026, two points behind 13th-placed Septemvri Sofia.
When and where was the match scheduled?
Cherno More v Septemvri Sofia was scheduled for Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 17:00 at Ticha Stadium in Varna, according to the fan club and A PFG; the league's own site showed 15:00.
Is Ilian Iliev leaving Cherno More?
No. On 23 October he said he stays, although he had twice been ready to step down, and that he alone is responsible for the sporting results.
