The Bulgarian volleyball champion Levski (Sofia) has joined the international initiative against the proposed changes to the calendar of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). This was confirmed toVolleyweek.bgby one of the club's co-presidents, David Davidov. The news comes on the day when the president of the Italian giant Perugia, Gino Sirci, publicly presented the position of European clubs and announced the #NoClubsNoVolley campaign.
At a special press conference today in Perugia, Sirci criticized the proposal for the international calendar during the period 2028–2032. According to the discussed reform, the biggest national team competitions will be moved to the winter months, which would necessitate a break in club championships for about seven weeks.
Standing alongside the president of the Italian club were head coach Angelo Lorenzetti and three national players – Perugia and Italy captain Simone Giannelli, Ukrainian Oleh Plotnytskyi, and Pole Kamil Semeniuk.
David Davidov confirmed Levski's participation
ToVolleyweek.bgthe co-president of the Bulgarian champion, David Davidov, confirmed that Levski had been contacted by the initiative committee organizing the European unification. The management of the capital club familiarized itself with the views, demands, and arguments of the organizers and, after their analysis, decided to support the initiative.
Sirci: The federation gets the revenue, the clubs get the bill
At today's press conference, the president of Perugia showed the FIVB project and explained why the clubs do not accept the proposed distribution of the international calendar.
According to Sirci, the interruption of the championships in winter will lead to a decrease in spectator interest, difficulties in fulfilling sponsorship contracts, and a weakening of the financial capabilities of the clubs.
"They get the revenue, and the clubs pay the bill. This is unacceptable," said the president of Perugia, quoted by Volley News. Sirci also drew attention to the costs that clubs incur for salaries, international transfers, travel, accommodation, sports facilities, and the maintenance of coaching staffs. He emphasized that it is the clubs that invest in discovering and developing players who subsequently represent their countries on the international stage.
According to him, Perugia already has the support of 25 other European clubs, and the Italian Volleyball Federation also opposes the proposed calendar.
Three national players supported Perugia's position
During the press conference, Simone Giannelli, Oleh Plotnytskyi, and Kamil Semeniuk also expressed support for the arguments of the club management.
The three drew attention to the risks to the physical condition of the players in the event of a possible additional tightening of the international program.
Head coach Angelo Lorenzetti emphasized the difficulties that such a calendar would create in planning preparation and managing competitive load.
European clubs unite their positions
Clubs from France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia are participating in the initiative.
According to Italian media, leading Polish and Turkish clubs are not among the supporters so far. Polish clubs are reported to support a different approach to the international calendar, where national team competitions take precedence.
With the #NoClubsNoVolley campaign, Perugia called on other clubs, players, coaches, and fans to publicly express their position against the proposed changes.
The FIVB proposal is still under discussion, and Perugia's initiative aims to ensure that the interests of the clubs are taken into account before the final determination of the international calendar.
The Bulgarian champion Levski is already part of the European association, which insists on maintaining the balance between club and national volleyball.