A high-profile VAR (Video Assistant Referee) official has found himself at the centre of a scandal and has been suspended after being caught checking a betting website during a live broadcast of a recent Bulgarian First League match.
The incident has sparked an investigation and widespread outrage, raising serious concerns about the integrity of refereeing in football.
The Bulgarian VAR official was seen scrolling through a betting site just moments before the kickoff of the match between CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia.
Viewers were stunned by the act, which quickly sparked outrage on social media.
Following the incident, the official was suspended, and football authorities took swift action by launching a formal investigation into possible match-fixing allegations.
Hawk-Eye Innovations, the company responsible for VAR operations in the Bulgarian First League, issued a letter to the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) explaining their response.
They stated, “Hawk-Eye Innovations acknowledges with regret an incident involving one of its VAR operators during the Parva Liga match between PFC CSKA Sofia and PFC Lokomotiv Sofia on April 2, 2025, in the evening.”
The VAR official, whose name has not been disclosed, will remain suspended while the investigation is ongoing.
If found guilty, he could face severe consequences, including a ban from officiating and potential criminal charges.
The company noted, “Live footage from the camera situation in the VAR operations room documented the individual using a personal smartphone during the match and appearing to engage in inappropriate activities, which would constitute gross misconduct in relation to the responsibilities of their assigned role.”
They assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted during the official’s suspension.
If the findings indicate misconduct, they plan to terminate the individual’s contract.
However, they added, “If the individual is found to have been engaging in such inappropriate activity, we will look to dismiss the individual according to their contractual terms.”
As the scandal unfolded, fans expressed their shock and called for stricter regulations and better monitoring of referees’ activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
NAD/MA
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