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18th March 2025
10:26am GMT
A football club have been forced to apologise after they held a minute's silence for a former player who is still alive.
Bulgarian football team Arda Kardzhali, which is located in the southern Bulgarian town of Kardzhali, and play in the country's top division, held the minute's silence in honour of Petko Ganchev before Sunday's game against Levski Sofia.
Both teams lined up on the centre circle prior to kick-off and bowed their heads to mourn Ganchev.
But, before the match was over, Arda posted on their Facebook page saying they had received wrong information about Ganchev's death.
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."
On Monday evening they had deleted their post.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, meaning Arda are fifth in the 16-team league table and could still secure a place in European football next season.
Levski stay second, but are 12 points behind leaders Ludogorets.
In 2018–19, Arda won the Second League promotion play-off against Septemvri Sofia, resulting in the club's first-ever appearance in the Bulgarian top division.
