Bulgarian Football Club's Gaffe: Minute’s Silence Held for Living Legend

A Bulgarian top-flight football club, Arda Kardzhali, has issued a public apology following an embarrassing incident where they held a minute’s silence for a former player, Petko Ganchev, who is very much alive. The incident occurred before their league game against Levski Sofia on Sunday.

The Incident

Before the match, both teams lined up on the center circle and bowed their heads in honor of Ganchev, believing he had passed away. However, the club later discovered that the information about Ganchev’s death was incorrect. Arda Kardzhali quickly took to their Facebook page to express their regret and apologize to Ganchev and his family.

The Apology

In their statement, the club said:

"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."

Reaction

This incident has sparked a mix of amusement and disbelief among football fans. While the club’s intentions were clearly respectful, the mistake has highlighted the importance of verifying sensitive information before public announcements.

Background

Petko Ganchev is a well-known figure in Bulgarian football, having made significant contributions to Arda Kardzhali during his playing career. The club’s gesture, albeit misguided, underscores the high regard they hold for their former players.

Moving Forward

Arda Kardzhali is expected to implement new protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the football community is reminded of the importance of accuracy in communication, especially when dealing with matters of life and death.