The Bulgarian tax collector, the National Revenue Agency (NAP), has "failed to find a buyer" for "the CSKA Sofia brand (it's logos and trademarks) and has dropped the asking price by 20%," to BGN 2,944,288 ($1.6M). This is the "second time it has lowered the price." In a bid to "chase down" some of the BGN 11M ($6M) owed to it by CSKA Sofia, the NAP put the marks up for sale for BGN 3,680,360 ($2.01M). But with "no buyer coming forward the NAP has said that another 'silent' auction will be held" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 7/22). ... La Liga side Eibar President Alex Aranzabal "compared Elche's unpaid tax bill to a Tour de France cyclist using performance-enhancing drugs." A judge on Monday confirmed Elche "would play in the Segunda next year
as a result of an unpaid tax bill" and Aranzabal said that the league is not "just about what happens on the pitch." Aranzabal: "Breaching the requirements has consequences. It's the first time this
has happened in the Primera but not the first time it has happened in
Europe. It's a step forward to legitimizing the competition" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 7/22). ... Bee Taechaubol's takeover of AC Milan will reportedly bring in an extra €100M ($109.2M) for the transfer budget when completed. The Thai investor is "in the process of completing a deal" to take on 48% of the club, "with the final confirmation expected in the next few weeks." La Repubblica reports that, with €480M ($524.1M) being paid to holding company Fininvest, a further €100M will become available for this summer's transfer budget (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 7/22).
