Bunyodkor FC faces severe financial crisis as utilities are cut off and salaries delayed

Furqatbek Nishonov, a representative of the club’s press service, highlighted the gravity of the situation on social media, noting that staff and players have not received salaries since December. He revealed that the academy and stadium had been without hot water for two months prior to the total power outage that occurred recently. This decline comes at a paradoxical time for the nation’s football, as Nishonov noted that Uzbekistan is preparing for its historic first appearance in the World Cup.

The financial strain is heavily exacerbated by long-standing debts to former Brazilian stars. According to a club official who spoke with Kun.uz, the termination of the Uzbekneftegaz sponsorship has made it nearly impossible to meet repayment schedules. Specifically, a major payment installment due to Rivaldo by April 15 was missed, which will now trigger significant late-payment penalties. The official estimated that approximately two-thirds of the UZS 35 billion the club is set to receive from the state this year will have to be redirected solely to cover the debt owed to Rivaldo.

This crisis follows a strategic shift by several large state-owned enterprises. At the beginning of the year, Uzbekneftegaz announced it would cease its sponsorship of Bunyodkor, Nasaf, and Bukhara. To fill the resulting vacuum, the government introduced a new financing model. Under a decree signed on March 27, each Super League club is entitled to receive UZS 35 billion from the state budget in 2026, with the amount decreasing to UZS 30 billion ZS in 2027 and UZS 25 billion in 2028.

In addition to direct funding, the government has introduced significant tax incentives to stimulate the sector. Starting April 1, 2026, Super League and Pro League players are exempt from personal income tax for three years, and the social tax rate for clubs has been lowered to 1%. Furthermore, entrepreneurs who sponsor football clubs or sports federations can benefit from tax breaks and half–price advertising on state television. The state has also signaled its intention to privatize football clubs by the end of the year, offering subsidized loans to private investors willing to take over management.

However, for Bunyodkor, the shadow of past spending remains the primary obstacle. Two years ago, FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled that the club must pay nearly 9.2 million euros to Brazilian players Rivaldo and Denilson. This figure includes 8.1 million euros for Rivaldo and 1.1 million euros for Denilson, covering unpaid bonuses, late interest, and legal fees. While the club reached an agreement to settle these debts in installments through 2028, the current lack of liquidity threatens to derail the entire repayment plan.

Rivaldo, who played for Bunyodkor from 2008-2010 and won three Uzbek league titles, remains a legendary figure in the club’s history, but his contract legacy now places the institution's very survival at risk. Consistent with the government's broader goals, the market value of the club is expected to be determined by the end of the year as part of a push toward full privatization.