Football club mourns former player, then realises he’s not dead
Football club mourns former player, then realises he’s not dead
A bizarre mix-up in Bulgarian football saw top-flight club Arda Kardzhali hold a minute’s silence for a former player — only to discover he was still alive before the game ended.
Ahead of its league match against Levski Sofia, Arda lined up for what was meant to be a solemn tribute to ex-player Petko Ganchev. Players from both teams stood in the centre circle, bowing their heads in respect.
But the emotional moment took an unexpected turn when the club realised it had been misinformed.
Before the final whistle even blew, Arda issued a public apology on Facebook:
“The management of PFC Arda would like to express a huge apology to former Arda player Petko Ganchev and his relatives after the club received wrong information about his death.”
The statement added: “We wish Petko Ganchev many more years of good health and to enjoy the success of Arda.”
Details remain unclear about how the club received false information about Ganchev’s supposed passing. The mistake has sparked reactions across social media, with fans calling it one of football’s most embarrassing mix-ups.
The incident quickly went viral, with fans posting memes and jokes about the blunder. Some compared it to past sporting mix-ups, while others were simply relieved that Ganchev is alive and well.
One fan commented: “Imagine watching a game where a club mourns you, and you’re sitting at home watching TV.”
