Bulgarian referee demoted after erroneous red card shown to Edwin Gyasi in Sofia derby

Referee Vladimir Valkov has been demoted to officiate a youth game in Bulgaria following the red card he showed Ghana winger Edwin Gyasi in the Sofia derby.

Vladimir Valkov sent the winger off in controversial circumstances in the 44th minute of CSKA Sofia's 1-0 defeat to rivals Levski Sofia last Sunday.

CSKA protested and reported the referee to the BFS Judicial Committee where it was decided that Vladimir Valkov had to be punished.

The referee will not officiate any game on matchday 24 of the Bulgarian top flight league but has rather been selected to handle the game between the junior sides of Botev and Ludogorets.

Meanwhile, the fourth referee in the derby Iylavo Sayotnov, who was also criticized by CSKA for his involvement in Gyasi's red escaped punishment.

However, he has been appointed to handle the game between Samuel Inkoom's Dunav Ruse and Botev Plodviv.

Edwin Gyasi will serve his one-match ban according to the BFS Judicial Committee.