Petko Ganchev got into a very curious story.
Before the Bulgarian championship match between Arda and Levski, there was an embarrassing incident: the home team honored the memory of their former footballer, 79-year-old Petko Ganchev , with a minute of silence, but it turned out that the man was alive.
Even during the match, the club was informed of the error and the press service published a post with apologies.
“The management of PFC Arda would like to express our sincere apologies to former player Petko Ganchev and his relatives after the club received false information about his death. We wish Petko Ganchev many years of good health and to enjoy the success of Arda.”
Bulgarian club Arda apologises after trip ex-player who turns out to be alive
The Bulgarian government of the top fund Arda Kardzhali is apologetic after their player Petko Ganchev, who kills them in the position in the minute of strength before Sunday's match with Levski Sofia,… pic.twitter.com/DX9Z1h
— Gulf Daily News (@GDNonline) March 18, 2025
Soon local journalists approached Ganchev for a comment. He stated that he was not offended by the club and was not going to sue, and also told how he learned of his “death”.
“I never miss Arda matches on TV. I was about ten minutes late for the game against Levski because I had things to do. While I was driving home, my phone started ringing. But I was driving, so I didn't pick it up. I parked in front of our house, walked into the yard, and my wife met me in tears.
She screams: “Petko, Petko, they announced on TV that you died!” I couldn't understand what she was saying to me. She explained to me that they called her on the phone and told her what they heard before the match.
Then two friends called me. One of them shouted: “I'm calling, but you're not picking up. I believed what I heard, and I called your wife on the phone.” It's completely normal for a person to be scared, because we haven't talked for a long time.
My friend Stoyan Iliev, a former central defender, was at the stadium. He said to me, “I wonder whether to laugh or cry.” I do too. You can laugh and cry. Stoyan stood up, as did other people in the stadium, to pay my respects…
Being buried alive is really stressful. It's not a pleasant situation, but at the end of the day, we have to be positive. Yesterday, when I heard the terrible news, I poured myself some brandy,” Ganchev shared.
Earlier it was reported that the 25-year-old footballer died while saving people during a fire in a nightclub.