Latest news with #Petrov
Irish Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic legend's warning for Irish football fans and Heimir Hallgrimsson record
Former Celtic and Aston Villa legend Stiliyan Petrov notes Ireland's recent form under new management - four wins, four losses and two the former international star has warned against misplaced optimism about the 'win' column as his country accounts for two of those may have been to seven World Cups (finishing 4th in 1994) but they have not been to a major championship since Euro2004 and are practically uncompetitive at present. Recent Bulgaria results include a five-goal defeat against Northern Ireland, four-goal defeats to Greece, Switzerland, a 2-5 reverse at home to Georgia, draws with Belarus twice, Cyprus, Luxembourg..."Bulgarian football is shadowed by corruption and match-fixing and people who depend on political support," says Petrov who made a record 105 appearances and scored eight goals for his country."And this makes it even harder for the younger players, for the coaches and for all the football ecosystem in Bulgarian football to flourish because we've been struggling for many, many years and it seems like we are still struggling."We used to play against teams, against Ireland, against the North, and expect to win, now you can see how far we are behind."We are a football nation and I think the fans and people around football want a change but it seems like people who run the carpentry, do the building, don't want to change and this is the biggest downfall for Bulgarian football." Ranked no3 in the world in June 1995, Bulgaria currently languish at 71st."I'm not surprised they could not win against Ireland, I'm not surprised at all."I mean, our national team, our players, are really struggling to play in the big teams and the big leagues, to create leaders, which was a really big problem for Bulgarian football and this has been going on for the last 20 years."And it seems like there's more people who don't want to change then want to change something for good." As it stands, Ireland have played 10 games since announcing Heimir Hallgrimsson as their new coach on July 10, 2024. The Icelandic-born coach's previous job had been as the Jamaica coach but had tendered his resignation at the end June, 2024, following the Reggae Boyz' poor showing at the Copa America where they shipped three defeats in three pool had been beaten 0-1 by Mexico in their opening game, 1-3 by Ecuador in their second outing and finished with a 0-3 loss to had been high in advance for a squad that carried English Premier players such as West Ham striker Michail Antonio, Fulham's Bobby de Cordova-Reid alongside another half-dozen Championship regulars, the then Clermont-based Shamar Nicholson and with another cohort of players across the Ireland regime started with a 0-2 reverse against England in Dublin followed by another 0-2 defeat in Dublin, this time to next four games provided two wins and two losses, with Ireland completing an home and away double, single goal wins over Finland, but having previous form franked when suffering 0-2 in Greece and 0-5 in next two matches, Nations League play-off games - and the ones the former Bulgaria captain Petrov was specifically referring to - were consecutive 2-1 victories over Bulgaria, firstly in Sofia and then Dublin and, remarkably, earned having gone behind in both recently there were early June, 2025, friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, both of which finished as draws and garnered mixed reactions with former Ireland stars Gary Breen and Kevin Kilbane notably immediate programme features 2026 World cup Qualifiers, starting with Hungary at home and Armenia away in September followed by Portugal away and Armenia at home in pool finishes with Portugal at home and Hungary away in November. *Stiliyan Petrov will be featuring in a Premier League XI playing against Ayrfield Utd (founded 1977) at Blunden Drive, Coolock, Dublin, today. The game is a fundraiser for Ayrfield Utd's new clubhouse, youth club and sensory room for neurodivergent children and adults within the community, i.e. people with autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome. And what a teeam it is! Premier League XI (courtesy LegendsXI/Tony Browne): David James; Stephen Carr, Ian Harte, Jaap Stam, Wes Browne; Karol Poborsky, Jason McAteer, Keith Gillespie; Jermaine Beckford, Yakubu - plus guests.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic legend on Martin O'Neill, working in a burger van and leukaemia battle
Stiliyan 'Stan' Petrov joined Glasgow Celtic from CSKA Sofia in 1999 and had a torrid time initially — before working in a burger van put him right. Four SPL titles, three SFA Cups, three League Cups, player of the year, a UEFA Cup runners-up medal, 228 appearances and 64 goals later, he would rejoin Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa. Many would pinpoint the standout win of his Celtic career as the 2002/03 two-legged UEFA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, 1-1 at Paradise before a sensational 2-0 win at Anfield in the second leg. He he joined Villa in 2006, and would remain until pre-season 2016. While in Birmingham, he won a Sunday League junior football cup, a success Petrov describes as the biggest victory of his life. Diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, Petrov retired from football in May 2013 and after spells as Villa youth coach in 2013, assistant coach in 2015, he would resume full-time training with the first team squad ahead of the 2016/17 season. 'Leukaemia was probably the toughest of my own opponents,' he says. 'It was something that I had to battle really hard. 'It was three years of a difficult battle, highs and lows, dark moments, mental issues. But you know what, it just shows you how strong we are as human beings and it's something that I will always remember, I'll never forget. 'I was fortunate to have a great family, a great, great wife, Paulina, she kind of put her life aside to make sure that she looked after me. 'And that's why I have a foundation, based in Bulgaria, England and Spain, I always like to help because I know how important the support is and helping others makes a huge difference. 'We support over 50 hospitals around the world. We create events, we raise funds, and we donate money for other people to have a better treatment and better life.' That 2016/17 pre-season tour with the Villans saw Petrov score in an 8-0 win over Austrian team GAK, but he was not offered a contract by then-boss Roberto De Matteo. Yet still, Petrov had come a long way since arriving at Celtic as a teenager in 1999. 'Obviously the start was tough for me, I'd a new coach, the speed of the football as well made it even more difficult,' explains the former Bulgaria international. 'But mainly, I felt that not being able to communicate with my teammates pushed me further from the dressing-room, so it was making sure that I understand what's happening in the dressing-room and I felt that I had to find a solution. 'And my solution at that time was I had a friend who was Scottish, he owned the burger van and obviously noticed that I couldn't speak English, I couldn't explain things — I couldn't place an order. 'We started with basic things and, I'll never regret it because that gave me a chance to stay at Celtic and be successful.' It proved to be a seven-year stay, 1999-06, that coincided with an eclectic set of talented stars. 'I've enjoyed playing with pretty much everyone, he says. 'We had a very, very strong team in my time and, obviously, Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton, they are ones that you can pick out. 'But I've played with some great players with some great characters as well, Neil Lennon, Paul Lambert, Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjallby and, further down the line, playing with Shunsuke Nakamura, who was exceptional as well.' The week-in, week-out support of the fans at Celtic was exceptional. 'I loved playing in front of the Celtic fans because they're passionate, they love the club and they follow everywhere the club goes. 'I actually spoke with Lenny the other day, he doesn't really play anymore, he is a bit big now! I think the last game he played was my testimonial at Celtic Park.' Martin O'Neill was a key man for Petrov. 'I got on very well with him, still have a great friendship after he finished managing and I finished my career. 'We still keep in touch. We do a lot of events together. 'I still call him Gaffer, I love him, we have that much respect, he is just unique and weird in his own way, but in a very nice way. 'He's a great man-manager, knows how to motivate players, how to handle players with a character. 'He had one strong side, which is he always wanted to win and he sent that message every single day in a dressing-room and that made a huge difference.' Contrary to popular belief and despite being O'Neill's first signing, Petrov didn't 'follow him' to Villa. 'It wasn't my intention to go and play with Martin again,' reveals Petrov. 'I was down to sign for Portsmouth when Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth were doing very well. 'It's funny how things work but me and Gareth Barry, who was at Villa where Martin O'Neill was fighting to keep him, we both were going down to sign for Portsmouth, but we both ended up at Aston Villa. 'The opportunity to work with Martin was a great pleasure because I knew how he worked. I knew how dependable he was and I loved playing under him at Aston Villa.' There was always a big club feel about Villa and their noisy Holt End fans. 'The fans at Villa are very demanding and I loved that. 'Under Martin, he created a really strong team, a really competitive team, with some good balance and a good mix between experienced players and younger players. 'And I think if you look at the Villa now they're kind of continuing that, they want to have a competitive team, not just domestically, but on the European stage as well.' Under O'Neill, there were three consecutive sixth-place Premier League finishes, an FA cup semi-final in 2010 and three European football seasons, 2009-11. But it was a different trophy at a different club in Birmingham that would mean the world to Petrov, a sign he was winning the fight for life against acute leukemia. Wychall Wanderers were managed by former Coventry City defender David Busst, and offered Petrov a lifeline. 'I'd won leagues and cups in Bulgaria, three leagues in Scotland but, for me, after going through my treatment, being able to go back on a pitch and kick the ball was the best days because I was looking forward to every Sunday,' reveals Petrov. 'I've even changed the schedule for the boys, not drinking on a Friday or a Saturday if we are playing, Sunday breakfast in the morning, getting ready for the game. 'So the boys kind of loved it too because I've demanded so much from them but for me, being on the pitch again, kicking the ball and being able to run again, even if I was heavier at that time, I loved every single minute. 'Even going to the pub after where nobody shies away from a beer and I loved that. It was the best because when you win the game, you know what, you have a pint with your friends. 'You discuss the game, what's happening in the Premier League, world football, you have great craic and build up for the next weekend.' The former Villa captain feels there is more to come from his old side as they look to build on a first-ever Champions League campaign. They were beaten 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals by eventual winners PSG, finished sixth in the league and made the last four in the FA Cup. Indeed, eight wins in the last ten Premier League games, their two losses coming in Manchester against City and then United on the last day, saw them only miss out on CL participation on goal difference. 'It's great what they have achieved in the last two seasons,' says 'Stan'. 'The Champions League performance there has been incredible last season, this year it will be Europa League but I think they won't really bother about that because there will be another European competition. 'And with a super manager in Unai Emery, the team and the way he works, and with my two favourites, Morgan Rogers and 'Super' John McGinn, they've got a good chance to go further in that competition.' Petrov notes Ireland's recent form under new management — four wins, four losses and two draws. But the ex-Bulgaria international has warned against misplaced optimism about the 'win' column as his country accounts for two of those four. Bulgaria may have been to seven World Cups (finishing fourth in 1994) but they have not been to a major championship since Euro 2004 and are uncompetitive at present. Recent Bulgaria results include a five-goal defeat to Northern Ireland, four-goal defeats to Greece, Switzerland, a 5-2 reverse at home to Georgia, and draws with Belarus (twice), Cyprus and Luxembourg. 'Bulgarian football is shadowed by corruption and match-fixing and people who depend on political support,' says Petrov, who made a record 105 appearances and scored eight goals for his country. 'And this makes it even harder for the younger players, for the coaches and for all the football ecosystem in Bulgarian football to flourish because we've been struggling for many, many years and it seems like we are still struggling. 'We used to play against teams, against Ireland, against the North, and expect to win, now you can see how far we are behind. 'We are a football nation and I think the fans and people around football want a change but it seems like people who run the carpentry, do the building, don't want to change and this is the biggest downfall for Bulgarian football.' Ranked No.3 in the world in June 1995, Bulgaria currently languish 71st. 'I'm not surprised they could not win against Ireland, I'm not surprised at all. I mean, our national team, our players, are really struggling to play in the big teams and the big leagues, to create leaders, which was a really big problem for Bulgarian football and this has been going on for the last 20 years. 'And it seems like there's more people who don't want to change then want to change something for good.' ***Stiliyan Petrov will be featuring in a Premier League XI playing against Ayrfield Utd (founded 1977) at Blinden Drive, Coolock, Dublin, today. The game is a fundraiser for Ayrfield Utd's new clubhouse, youth club and sensory room for neurodivergent children and adults within the community, i.e. people with autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome. And what a team it is! Premier League XI (courtesy LegendsXI/Tony Browne): David James; Stephen Carr, Ian Harte, Jaap Stam, Wes Browne; Karol Poborsky, Jason McAteer, Keith Gillespie; Jermaine Beckford, Yakubu - plus guests.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Utah man charged for messaging Alisa Petrov online seeks bail, claims he is not a flight risk
Related video: Charges filed against third suspect in Alisa Petrov case SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah man arrested for allegedly messaging 15-year-old Alisa Petrov online before she went missing has requested bail. Samuel Mitchell, 41, of Herriman, Utah, with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony, and one count of enticement of a minor, a class A misdemeanor. He is accused of communicating with Alisa through the online messaging app Discord and having conversations that were sexual in nature. PREVIOUSLY: Utah man, 41, messaged missing 15-year-old girl days before she disappeared: Documents Mitchell has posted a bond between $5,000 and $10,000, arguing that he is not a flight risk due to strong ties to Utah. He has agreed to submit to ankle monitoring, a pretrial release supervision by a private probation provider — which would require regular phone check-ins — and have no internet access. He claims he has no prior criminal history and has the financial resources to pay for home confinement/GPS geo-fencing monitoring if the court deems it appropriate. Mitchell was previously in the disappearance of 15-year-old Alisa Petrov. Police obtained a search warrant for his phone, and he was . PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family releases statement after South Jordan girl found alive in Colorado Petrov went missing on April 21 and on June 1. The South Jordan Police Department (SJPD) told that she was found 'alive and healthy'. After finding several online messages exchanged between Petrov and three separate men, detectives believed Petrov was trying to get to Las Vegas, Nevada. The three men, including Mitchell, have been charged in connection with Petrov's disappearance. The other two have been identified as , 35, of Miami, Florida, and , 37, of Texas City, Texas. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. TRAFFIC ALERT: Eastbound I-70 closed in Grand County for semi rollover Senator Padilla kicked out of press conference Preps for 250th birthday of the Army underway Johnson, heckled by Democrats, backs censure for Padilla President Trump blocks California's ban on the sale of gas powered cars Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
02-06-2025
- New York Post
Missing 15-year-old girl who had disturbing chats with men is found safe over 500 miles from home
A 15-year-old girl who vanished nearly six weeks ago in Utah — prompting the investigation of three men, including at least one who shared disturbing sex chats while trying to get her to meet him — has been found safe more than 500 miles away in Colorado, according to authorities. Alisa Petrov, 15, from South Jordan, walked into the Colorado Springs Police Department on Sunday evening, six weeks after she disappeared, police said, according to KUTV. She was in good health, but cops have not yet determined how she got to the police station or if she was held against her will, the outlet reported. Advertisement 3 15-year-old Alisa Petrov, who had been missing for six weeks, appeared healthy when she walked into a Colorado police precinct Sunday. Facebook / Nikolai Petrov Petrov was reported missing on April 21, two days after her final message to a 41-year-old man with whom she had been having a series of sexual conversations, according to an affidavit obtained by KSL TV. 'I'M RUNNING AWAY. Please don't contact me,' Petrov wrote on April 19 at 12:34 a.m. in a message to an unnamed man from Herriman, Utah, whom she met on Discord, the report said. The man was later identified as Samuel Teancum Mitchell, after police conducted a reverse search of the phone number he provided to Petrov, KUTV reported. Advertisement Their chats had become increasingly sexual, including discussions about condoms and sex games, as well as planning to meet in person, according to the affidavit. Messages were discovered on Petrov's iPad, which she left behind in her bedroom. She had shared her Snapchat username with him, and some messages may have been deleted, according to the warrant. Advertisement 3 Sexually explicit messages were discovered on Petrov's iPad, which she left behind in her bedroom. Facebook / Nikolai Petrov Mitchell, 41, was arrested Wednesday and charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony, and enticement of a minor. Two other men were also charged for communicating with Petrov before her disappearance, KSL reported. William Taylor Glines, 37, is in custody in Texas, and a second suspect, Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, of Florida, turned himself in on Wednesday night, the outlet said. Advertisement 3 William Taylor Glines was charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, among other charges. He is one of three men arrested following Petrov's disappearance. Galveson County Jail Glines has been charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, first-degree felonies, and criminal solicitation, records indicate. Menard was also charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor, and three counts of criminal solicitation. Petrov was last seen on security video leaving a train platform in Provo, KUTV reported. Her family had previously offered a $20,000 reward for any information leading to her safe return.
New York Post
29-05-2025
- New York Post
3 men investigated over missing girl, 15 — including one trying to meet her while sharing sick sex chats: affidavit
Three men are being investigated over a 15-year-old girl who vanished five weeks ago in Utah — with at least one sharing disturbing sex chats while trying to get her to meet him, according to authorities. Alisa Petrov, 15, from South Jordan, was reported missing on April 21, two days after her final message to a 41-year-old man with whom she had been having a series of sexual conversations, according to an affidavit obtained by KSL TV. 'I'M RUNNING AWAY. Please don't contact me,' Petrov wrote on April 19 at 12:34 a.m. in a message to the unnamed man from Herriman, Utah, whom she met on Discord, the report said. Advertisement Their chats had become increasingly sexual, including discussions about condoms and sex games, as well as planning to meet in person, according to the affidavit. 4 Missing Utah girl Alisa Petrov, 15, hasn't been seen since last month. Utah Department of Public Safety The man has not yet been charged, but the unsealed search warrant outlines probable cause for a search of his home and phone, citing evidence of possible enticement and exploitation of a minor, KSL reports. Advertisement Messages were discovered on Petrov's iPad, which she left behind in her bedroom. She had shared her Snapchat username with him, and some messages may have been deleted, according to the warrant. 4 The teen sent an eerie message to a man she had been communicating with just before she disappeared. Facebook / Nikolai Petrov 4 William Taylor Glines is one of three men being investigated over Petrov's disappearance. Galveson County Jail Advertisement Two other men have been charged already over Petrov's disappearance. William Taylor Glines, 37, is in custody in Texas, while a second suspect, Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, of Florida, still hadn't been located as of Wednesday. 4 Anyone with information regarding Petrov's disappearance is urged to contact South Jordan Police Department. Utah Department of Public Safety Petrov is classed as a runaway juvenile who is endangered. Her family has offered a $20,000 reward for any information leading to her safe return.
