The Macedonian Minority in Bulgaria

[EgejskaMakedonia]

Seems like it's time to send Johnny Howard and his crew over to Bulgaria to introduce the baby bonus!

[lavce pelagonski]

Macedonian Hopes to Make It to Premiership with Bulgarian Passport

Goran Popov, a Macedonian football player, hopes to get a permit to work in the UK thanks to his Bulgarian passport, in what has been described by Macedonian media as a "scandal".

Popov's on-off move to Stoke City could be back on again because he has a Bulgarian passport, the Staffordshire web portal has reported, adding that as Bulgaria is a member of the EU, the document allows Popov to enter England and reside there but not work.

For that, he needs permission from the UK Border Agency and the club is now awaiting an answer for his request. That leaves Popov's proposed season-long loan move from Dynamo Kiev in limbo, the report says.

But his hopes appear to have grown since last week when the 27-year-old left-back feared his dream move to the Premier League was heading for complete collapse.

Some Macedonian media have used the word "scandal" to described the case, as, apparently, it was not publicly known that Popov holds Bulgarian citizenship.

A rising number of Slavic Macedonians – deemed in Sofia to be ethnic Bulgarians, at least "historically', are applying for and receiving Bulgarian citizenship – based on their claiming of ethnic Bulgarian origin – a development that infuriates the official authorities in the Macedonian capital Skopje, as it erodes the Macedonian national identity that has been developed to be distinct from the Bulgarian identity during the communist period.

The Staffordshire news portal explains that the Macedonian international believed any application for a work permit would fail because his country has recently dropped in FIFA's world rankings to 102.

One of the FA's criteria for accepting players who require a visa to enter England is that their own country are ranked at 70 or better.

But the existence of a Bulgarian passport could help Popov by-pass those criteria if the UK Border Agency back his request to work, the Staffordshire news site reports.

Popov, who played against Stoke in the Europa League last season, has already trained with his prospective new club after arriving here 10 days ago determined to win his first crack at Premier League football.

Speaking last week, when he believed the deal was heading for the rocks, he said: "I wanted to play against Arsenal, and also against Manchester City and Chelsea. I wanted to play against the big teams – this was my dream."

[lavce pelagonski]

This is from a Bulgarian site so the language is vulgar but the main issue is the Bulgarian passports. Nothing can justify this on ly the fact that Bulgaria is in the EU

[Phoenix]

LP, you're a habitual offender when it comes to promoting anti-Macedonian propaganda from the bulgars...the passport issue has been done to death already, the bulgars are known fascists prone to all manner of delusion and who gives a fuck about some shit-kicker with said passport....

Stop giving them free press.

[lavce pelagonski]

Phoenix relax ok.
The only thing anti-Macedonian is the guy with the passport, I think that it is important to know who is giving up their identity to go play soccer in the UK.

[United MKD]

Don't blame Popov tbh, when half of Macedonians have Bulgarian passports why not Popov who has only one chance to play in the most prestigious leage of all - the Premier League. It's not his fault we are ranked 102nd in the world and this is the only way it is going to work, unfortunately.

[Risto the Great]

Originally Posted by United MKD

Don't blame Popov tbh, when half of Macedonians have Bulgarian passports why not Popov who has only one chance to play in the most prestigious leage of all - the Premier League. It's not his fault we are ranked 102nd in the world and this is the only way it is going to work, unfortunately.

But then this is the same logic that applies to Macedonians who work in the "Premier league of toilet cleaners" in the UK etc. with their Bulgarian passports as well. What is the difference UMKD?

[George S.]

guys don't give lame excuses"Macedonian Hopes to Make It to Premiership with Bulgarian Passport".Is there anything that macedonians won't do.He doesn't give jack shit about his identity.It's like sellin out your heart & soul.It's just a poor excuse to do what is not right.
Look has anyone seen the bulgarians were even offering free passports you don't need even to be born in bulgaria.So look at what you get a new identity or is it to the ones that were allready bulgarofile mindsets.As i said they don't care as long as they got food on the table ,they don;t care for the country macedonia.

[United MKD]

Originally Posted by Risto the Great

But then this is the same logic that applies to Macedonians who work in the "Premier league of toilet cleaners" in the UK etc. with their Bulgarian passports as well. What is the difference UMKD?

In a way there is no difference but I bet 99% of all Macedonians including in this forum, that if they were in Popov's shoes would do the exact same thing - try to find an avenue to complete the deal to play in England. He tried and failed getting a visa because of our low ranking so next option is using a Bulgarian passport. I'm not saying it's right but when you're Macedonian you have to deal with this sort of crap.

Gledate kako poleka erodira nasiot identitet, malku po malku nekoj ne jadat ili vo odredeni instanci sami se jademe.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by United MKD

Don't blame Popov tbh, when half of Macedonians have Bulgarian passports why not Popov who has only one chance to play in the most prestigious leage of all - the Premier League. It's not his fault we are ranked 102nd in the world and this is the only way it is going to work, unfortunately.

I prefer the 'other half' that don't sell their identity like some useless commodity...the vast majority of the World don't play in the EPL either...get on with it.

I doubt if Popov is totally immune from the criticism surrounding Macedonia's football ranking...clearly he has no 'respect' for the country he represents...btw, can you represent Macedonia if you're the passport holder of a foreign country?

I reckon its a fuckin disgrace and I can't believe people are lining up to justify the actions of this self loathing bastard.