Bulgarian Club: In a scene straight out of a dark comedy, Bulgarian First League club Arda Kardzhali found itself at the center of an unusual mishap before their recent match against Levski Sofia. A solemn minute’s silence was observed for former Arda player Petko Ganchev, believed to have passed away. The problem? Ganchev was very much alive, presumably enjoying his evening far from the mistaken mourning ceremony.
Both teams and officials gathered at the center circle in a touching display of respect, their heads bowed, their hands clasped. It was a moment of unity—until halftime, when reality set in like an unexpected plot twist in a soap opera.
Bulgarian Club: Oops, Our Mistake! Club Issues Hasty Apology
At halftime, Arda’s management realized the blunder and wasted no time in correcting their error. In what can only be described as a public relations sprint, the club swiftly issued an official statement to clear the air—and perhaps, their red faces.
“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,” the statement read. “We wish Petko Ganchev many more years of good health and to enjoy the success of Arda.”
One can only imagine Ganchev’s reaction upon hearing of his own untimely ‘passing.’ Perhaps he had to double-check his pulse, just to be sure.
A Match to Remember—For More Reasons Than One
Bulgarian Club: Amidst the surreal pre-match drama, an actual football match took place, ending in a 1-1 draw. Arda Kardzhali’s European competition dreams remained intact, while Levski Sofia suffered a blow to their title ambitions, slipping further behind league leaders Ludogorets.
However, the match itself seemed secondary to the bizarre circumstances that preceded it. The mix-up undoubtedly overshadowed the final scoreline, with football fans more likely to remember the game as ‘the one with the accidental funeral.’
Fact-Checking: More Important Than Ever
Bulgarian Club: This bizarre episode serves as an amusing yet cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation. In the fast-paced world of sports, where announcements are made swiftly, verifying facts before making grand public gestures is clearly of utmost importance.
Whether it was an innocent mistake or a classic case of ‘too good to verify’ news, one thing is certain: Petko Ganchev has been given a unique honor—an obituary while still alive. Perhaps he’ll now receive birthday wishes a week early, just to be safe.
