The Russian businessman sold his stake in the Botev football club following sanctions

The Russian businessman sold his stake in the Botev football club following sanctions

Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich who was sanctioned by Bulgaria, has ceased to be the owner of a majority stake in the Botev football club. Iliyan Filipov became the new investor of the club.

In December 2024, Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (DANS) informed Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich of a 10-year ban on entry into the country. Zingarevich stated that he “did not receive a clear answer about the specific reasons that led to this absurd decision.”

Anton Zingarevich is the son of businessman Boris Zingarevich, a member of the Board of Directors of Ilim Group OJSC (the future President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev worked as the head of the legal service at Ilim Pulp Enterprise in 1997-1998).

Before Botev, Anton Zingarevich was the owner of the Reading Football Club, who play in EFL League One of the English football league.

In 2022, Anton Zingarevich and his parents were added to the sanctions list of Ukraine because of their “close ties with the regime of the Russian Federation.”

Anton Zingarevich is registered as an individual entrepreneur in Russia.