Soccer-Levski Sofia call for referees' commission to resign

SOFIA, March 6 (Reuters) - Levski Sofia on Tuesday joined calls for the resignation of all members of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) refereeing commission following what they believe has been biased officiating during league matches.

Several other clubs, including CSKA Sofia and Septemvri, have called for referees' chief Petar Petrov to quit due to "tendentious refereeing" in domestic championship games.

Levski, the 26-times Bulgarian champions, have sent an open letter to Petrov and BFU President Borislav Mihaylov to "express disgust" at the fact the title race had been "moved from the football field to the refereeing commission".

Levski are third in the standings with 46 points from 23 matches, 11 points behind leaders Ludogorets and eight adrift of CSKA.

The domestic championship has been marred by widespread accusations of bias in recent seasons. The BFU and referees in the Balkan country have been criticised by other clubs and fans for favouring Ludogorets, who have won the title for the past six seasons.

Levski have also accused the refereeing commission of favouring their bitter city rivals CSKA.

Petrov was advised by police in September to take security measures after a criminal gang received an order to beat him up.

(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov, editing by Ed Osmond)