Tashkent football club Bunyodkor is facing severe financial difficulties. According to a post by the club's press service representative Furqatbek Nishonov on Facebook, due to outstanding utility payments, the main stadium and academy have been disconnected from hot and cold water supply, as well as electricity. Nishonov wrote: "Apparently, this is the end. There has been no hot water at the Bunyodkor stadium and academy for two months, the last salary was received in December, and today electricity was cut off throughout the academy and stadium territory. By the way, this year Uzbekistan is participating in the World Cup for the first time in history! Good luck!"
The club representative stated that after Uzbekneftegaz terminated its sponsorship, the issue of payments to Brazilian footballer Rivaldo has intensified. Nishonov said: "The payment to Rivaldo for 2026, for the debt that was supposed to be paid until 2028, should have been made by April 15, but this was not done. Now large penalties will be added to it. Two-thirds of the 35 billion soums allocated by the state will go to Rivaldo."
A system of state budget financing for football clubs has been introduced. According to a decree signed on March 27, each Super League club will receive 35 billion soums in 2026, 30 billion in 2027, and 25 billion in 2028. This year, 16 clubs will be allocated 560 billion soums (over $45 million). Additionally, starting April 1, 2026, players of Super League and Pro-League clubs are exempt from personal income tax for three years, with a social tax rate set at 1 percent.
Two years ago, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that Bunyodkor must pay Brazilian footballers Rivaldo and Denilson nearly €9.2 million. The debt to Rivaldo was estimated at €8.1 million, and to Denilson at €1.1 million. Later, Bunyodkor reached an additional agreement with the Brazilians: payments to Denilson are made in three installments until 2026, while settlements with Rivaldo are conducted annually until 2028. Rivaldo played for Bunyodkor from 2008 to 2010, becoming Uzbek champion three times, and Denilson won the championship in 2010, scoring 4 goals in 14 league matches and 5 goals in 6 AFC Champions League matches.
Source: kun.uz