CSKA coach won't give medical proof after snowball rumpus

Sofia: CSKA Sofia coach Stoycho Mladenov has made a U-turn and will not provide the medical document requested by officials after he was hit on the head by a snowball in an explosive Bulgarian derby on Saturday.

"I`m a man of honour and the case is closed for me," Mladenov told local media on Wednesday after the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) postponed a decision on the incident.

"I will not provide the medical document," added the 57-year-old who led CSKA to their last league title in 2008.

Mladenov said on Monday that he had a document, proving his injury, and would present it to the BFU on request.

The former Bulgaria coach collapsed on the athletics track surrounding the pitch after being hit by the snowball thrown by rival Levski Sofia supporters, forcing the referee to halt the game for several minutes.

Mladenov said he lost consciousness and urged the authorities to expel Levski from the top division.

Levski, however, accused Mladenov of conducting a theatrical tumble and feigning unconsciousness.

The incident sparked a lively debate across Europe. British media conducted a poll and readers who believed Mladenov feigned an injury were in the majority.

He received more support at home with fans and media lambasting Levski supporters.

"The snowball can be a weapon," said Sports Medicine Specialist Dr Tsvetanka Yanakieva. "It hit Mladenov very hard on the head.