Soccer-Ritual oath fails to lift Bulgarian side Minyor Bobov Dol

SOFIA, April 8 (Reuters) - A ritual oath taken by the players of Bulgarian second division team Minyor Bobov Dol on the eve of Orthodox Easter has failed to have its desired effect.

Coach Dimitar Sokolov, angered by rumours that his players had accepted money to lose a match, decided to revive a traditional ritual established by Bulgarian rebels during their fight for liberation from Ottoman rule in the 19th century.

The players were made to swear under oath in front of the Bible, a pistol and a knife used in World War Two that they would try their utmost to win the match.

"I cursed the person who wanted our team to lose by bribing my players," Sokolov told 7 dni sport daily before the game against local rivals Velbuzhd on Saturday. "I know that the curse will reach him."

Minyor, however, were far from impressive on the pitch in a 2-1 defeat by Velbuzhd. They now lie 13th in the 14-team standings and are in danger of being relegated to the country's amateur championship.