Ivaylo Lalov is a CSKA youth academy product, after which he also played for Levski and Hebar (Pazardzhik). Lalov became champion of Bulgaria in Efbet Super Volley with the team of Neftochimic 2010 (Burgas). In his three years with the Burgas team, he lifted the Cup once (2021) and the Supercup of Bulgaria (2020) and won silver medals from the championship twice (2021 and 2022). Before joining Botev Lukovit, Lalov was part of the Montana team. A day ago, it became clear that he and lawyer Iliyan Gromkov had established"Association for the Support and Protection of Professional Athletes in Bulgaria".

- How did the idea for the creation of this association come about?

- This summer, I was talking to lawyer Iliyan Gromkov about this topic. We have been close friends for over 15 years. He has experience in reviewing sports club contracts, and I have many years of experience in sports. We believe that this combination would be very useful for professional athletes in Bulgaria, especially for those who do not have managers. Management agencies have their legal departments and meticulously craft their contracts, but athletes without managers often sign contracts without legal consultation, which can lead to problems with injuries, contract terminations, and other issues.

- Does this mean that the association will interfere in the negotiation of remuneration?

- No, not at all. We are not a management agency and we do not negotiate salaries. Our goal is to ensure that contracts are adhered to – if a contract states that a given athlete should receive a certain amount, that it be paid, and that all other agreed-upon conditions be fulfilled.

- What is the status of the association?
- This is a non-profit association. Everyone who becomes a member pays an annual membership fee. Within this membership fee, contract review, legal consultation, and eventual assistance in legal disputes are included. The law firm undertakes these commitments.

- Has the association been officially registered yet?

- Yes, everything has been officially established.

- This initiative stems from your personal experience. Has there been a case in the past where you suffered from a similar problem?

- We don't look back. We look forward. Lawyer Gromkov and I have discussed many cases and we know that there are athletes who experience difficulties with their contracts. Even before the association was established, he was already helping athletes with similar problems.

- A recent high-profile case involved a volleyball player who couldn't terminate his contract due to unpaid wages. If your association had existed then, could this case have unfolded differently?

- Yes, that is precisely one of our goals. In that case, the athlete was unaware of a specific clause in the regulations that would have allowed him to terminate his contract. We can provide such information and legal support to prevent similar situations.

- Does your association position itself in opposition to sports clubs?

- Absolutely not! Clubs have their own lawyers who protect their interests. It is only natural for athletes to have the same opportunity. We are not enemies of the clubs; rather, we want to be a bridge between them and the athletes to ensure transparency. This way, both sides will know their rights and obligations, which will reduce conflicts.

- You mentioned that you will also address sanction clauses in contracts?

- - So, the association doesn't aim to be a trade union, but focuses solely on legal aid?

Exactly. Our primary focus is legal support. Legal issues are now enshrined in law. Our role is to bring transparency and peace of mind to athletes so they can concentrate on their sport.

- So far, we have received positive feedback and congratulations for the idea, but there are no official members yet. We expect things to develop in the coming months, especially as the period for signing new contracts for the next season approaches.

- There are other organizations, such as the Association for the Development of Bulgarian Sports and the "Sport Bulgaria" foundation, but they provide financial and logistical support. The difference with you is that you are entirely legally oriented, isn't that right?

- Interview conducted by: Nikolay Varadinov

- Има други организации, като Асоциация за развитие на българския спорт и фондация " Спорт България", но те предоставят финансова и логистична подкрепа. Разликата при вас е, че сте изцяло юридически насочени, нали така?

- Да, нашата основна цел е правната и спортно-правната подкрепа. Имам 15-годишен опит в спорта и знам къде могат да възникнат конфликтни точки в договорите. Адвокат Громков е доказан специалист в правото, а освен това и той е бивш спортист. Това му дава допълнителна перспектива и разбиране на проблемите на състезателите. Спортистите дават всичко от себе си за своя отбор, а ние просто искаме те да получат това, което са договорили. Спокойствието и сигурността са важни, за да могат да се фокусират върху играта си. Очакваме всеки, който има нужда, да се свърже с нас.

Интервюто взе: Николай Варадинов