Bulgarian top-flight soccer team Arda Kardzhali has issued a public apology after holding a minute’s silence to honor former player Petko Ganchev, who was mistakenly believed to have died. The incident occurred ahead of their 1-1 draw against Levski Sofia in the Bulgarian First League on Sunday.
Prior to kickoff, both teams gathered near the center circle for a solemn tribute to Ganchev, who played for Arda in the past. The club had reportedly been misinformed about his passing, prompting the gesture. However, during the match, Arda retracted the tribute via a Facebook statement, clarifying that Ganchev was alive and attributing the error to false information.
In the social media post, Arda Kardzhali expressed regret: “The management of PFC Arda would like to express a huge apology to the former Arda player Petko Ganchev and his relatives after the club received wrong information about his death. We wish Petko Ganchev many more years of good health and to enjoy the success of Arda.”
Ganchev, who learned of the mix-up while returning home from work, recounted the surreal experience to Bulgarian outlet Blitz. He explained that he missed the start of the match and was flooded with calls during his drive. Upon arriving home, his tearful wife informed him of the erroneous announcement.
“To bury you alive is very stressful,” Ganchev remarked, adding with humor, “Truthfully, the situation was not pleasant, but at the end of the day, we have to be positive. Yesterday, when I heard the horrible news, I poured myself a small brandy.” He accepted the apology, dismissing the incident as a misunderstanding.
The game proceeded after the tribute, ending in a 1-1 draw between Arda Kardzhali and Levski Sofia.
The blunder underscores the risks of acting on unverified information in the digital age. While Arda has not detailed specific procedural changes, the incident highlights the importance of rigorous fact-checking, particularly in public commemorations. Ganchev’s lighthearted response and the club’s swift apology have tempered the situation, turning an awkward error into a cautionary tale about misinformation.
