Hi. You did not state whether or not you saw the match. I am always open to
the possibility of being wrong about something, in this case, that the match was
not manipulated. But, I certainly feel, as does Stoichkov that it was. I am
aware also that Bulgaria always loses to Sweden, however, until the referee
screwed up the match, this game could have been won, or, at least been tied by
the Bulgarians. Perhaps, he is just a totally incompetent referee, or, perhaps
he is a home team referee. Perhaps, he just has it in for Stoichkov, vor some
reason. But, one thing is certain, the non-calls vs. the calls were as
one-sided as I have ever seen. Just as you say, FIFA must make sure that the US
is in there. Well, that means that if it came down to a one game situation,
that game would, beyond a shadow of a doubt, be manipulated and if the US were
to lose that one game, it would only be due to an action 'from above', or, the
other teams ability to overcome all obstacles against them.
I am from the US and I am 55 years old. I have seen teams play for draws and
occasionally that backfires and the "wrong" team loses, as was the case in the
World Cup during the nineties, when Belgium inadvertently lost to one of the
Arab countries I believe it was the UAE team. Belgium had already qualified, so
a draw was good enough and the UAE had little chance of competing in that game.
I remember seeing a Belgium player miss a shot, when the game was nearing the
end and the score was tied, that a blind person, on crutches, could have put in
the net. Perhaps, it had something to do with oil, or politics. Who knows. I
know that I was in Las Vegas and won a huge sum of money, betting on that game.
I had the underdog, to either win or tie the match, sensing what may take place
and getting rewarded for my efforts. In American football, it is common
knowledge that games are fixed on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, whenever big
money is involved, corruption follows. Surely,
you must remember England being eliminated from the World Cup, the year that
the British hooligans ran amok (I think it was in France). That game was an
obvious manipulation, geared to send the hooligans home, without further
problems. Why didn't Brazil show up to play a serious match in France, the year
France won the Cup. Ronaldo, mysteriously was "injured" and the rest of the
team played as if they had already qualified as the winners and they lost 3-0,
as 1:3 favorites, with the whole sports world betting on Brazil. Surely,
Stoichkov should have controlled himself and not tried to buck a system that
cannot be altered. However, it is considerably more shameful that an
investigation and review of the referees behavior in that game, would not even
be considered, as some sort of resolution and justification for what occurred.
I read that Stoichkov is appealing the fine that was imposed on him. Perhaps,
he will have the fine reversed, which would say something about what
really happened. And, should it not be reversed, it certainly does not alter
the fact that the Bulgarians, in that match, were obviously cheated, for
whatever reason. Thank you for your response. I have written enough, however,
there are many more examples that come to mind. I only joined this group to
write and give some support, as I'd seen Stoichkov play the year that Bulgaria
made it to the quarter finals and was so thoroughly entertained. It bothered me
to see the man's frustration and I believe that regardless of what really
happened there, he should not have been red-carded, as his behavior during the
game was totally justified. His behavior after the game......Well, what can you
say. I'd have probably reacted the same way. Who knows what is good or bad in
this world. Were it not for that behavior, we would not have had this
correspondence.....

itraykov@... wrote:
Mark, you seriously don't know what you're talking about. International matches
in Europe are not fixed (although it may happen in very very low-level club
leagues). I've never heard of anyone being exposed internationally and I don't
believe it happens at that level. Bulgaria sucks and hasn't beaten Sweden for
the past 30-40 years. FIFA doesn't care whether Bulgaria beats Sweden, but they
do want the US to qualify for every world cup - that's why they give CONCACAF 3
slots for the WC. They can make a lot of money if soccer becomes popular in
North America.

----- Original Message -----
From: Mark
To: hristostoichkov@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 6:22 AM
Subject: [Hristo Stoichkov] Bulgaria-Sweden match was obviously fixed.....


Don't we have enough corruption in government? When it occurs in sports, it
is very shameful. I viewed that entire game and although I have seen many
sporting events in the past, which were obviously 'fixed'.....I do not believe
that I have ever seen one more blatantly manipulated than the Bulgaria-Sweden
match. I cannot even see a valid reason for doing it, as Sweden's chances for
getting into the World Cup finals should not have been severely threatened, no
matter what the outcome of this match. Surely, FIFA would prefer that Sweden
advances, but, why manipulate this particular match? Could it be monetary?
Political? It really doesn't make sense. In the United States, there are many
sporting events that appear (and obviously are)manipulated for various reasons
and I'm sure that overseas, soccer matches are, as well. If, in behalf of Mr.
Stoichkov, as I am a totally unbiased observer of that match, there is anything
that can be gained by using my testimony of witnessing
what I believe to have been a "manipulated event", please let me know, or,
just utilize this email, as evidence. I am American and love soccer and watch
as many of the qualifying games as I am able to see on the soccer cable network.
I have absolutely no reason to favor the Bulgarians, over the Swedes, with the
exception of habitually rooting for the underdog. However, I was thoroughly
dismayed and disgusted to see such obvious indiscresion and corruption against
the Bulgarians in this match. If FIFA is going to do something that is immoral
and perhaps, illegal, the least they can do is to not make it so obvious! Mr.
Stoichkov, you have my sincerest support in this matter. MW




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