A minute’s silence was observed before the kickoff of a Bulgarian top-flight match in memory of a deceased former player, who turned out to be alive and well.
Players from Bulgarian Premier League teams Arda Kardzhali and Levski Sofia gathered around the center circle and bowed their heads in honor of Petko Ganchev.
However, before the match ended, Arda—for whom Ganchev used to play—posted on their Facebook page that they had been misinformed about the news of his death.
However, before the match ended, Arda—for whom Ganchev used to play—posted on their Facebook page that they had been misinformed about the news of his death.
🚨📸 L’histoire la plus étrange de la Ligue bulgare…
— Foot 360 (@Foot360Fr) March 18, 2025
L’équipe d’Arda Kardzhali a observé une minute de silence pour rendre hommage à leur ancien joueur Petko Ganchev, mais il s’est avéré que le joueur est toujours en vie. 😮🇧🇬
pic.twitter.com/8Mhkt4eCn3
Ganchev expressed his surprise upon hearing news of his own passing.
“I never miss watching Arda's matches on TV. [For the match] against Levski, I was about ten minutes late because I had work to do. While I was driving home, my phone started ringing a lot. But I was driving and I didn’t dare pick up,” Bulgarian website BTVSport reported Ganchev as saying.
“I parked in front of our house. I entered the yard and my wife greets me in tears.” She shouts: “Petko, Petko, they announced on TV that you passed away!” I couldn't understand what she was saying to me and what had happened,” he added.
The former striker, who had a relatively successful playing career in the 1960s and 70s, was sanguine about the whole affair.
“The situation... was not pleasant, but in the end we have to be positive. Yesterday, when I heard the terrible news, I poured myself a little brandy,” he said.
Arda have not said how the mistake came about but expressed regret.
“The board of PFC Arda would like to sincerely apologize to former player Petko Ganchev and his family after the club received incorrect information about his death,” a club statement read.
The Arda-Levski match ended with honors, even in a 1-1 draw.
“I never miss watching Arda's matches on TV. [For the match] against Levski, I was about ten minutes late because I had work to do. While I was driving home, my phone started ringing a lot. But I was driving and I didn’t dare pick up,” Bulgarian website BTVSport reported Ganchev as saying.
“I parked in front of our house. I entered the yard and my wife greets me in tears.” She shouts: “Petko, Petko, they announced on TV that you passed away!” I couldn't understand what she was saying to me and what had happened,” he added.
The former striker, who had a relatively successful playing career in the 1960s and 70s, was sanguine about the whole affair.
“The situation... was not pleasant, but in the end we have to be positive. Yesterday, when I heard the terrible news, I poured myself a little brandy,” he said.
Arda have not said how the mistake came about but expressed regret.
“The board of PFC Arda would like to sincerely apologize to former player Petko Ganchev and his family after the club received incorrect information about his death,” a club statement read.
The Arda-Levski match ended with honors, even in a 1-1 draw.
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