- An official in Bulgaria is under fire after he was spotted allegedly using a betting site while on duty
- The official was captured on live television allegedly using a betting app shortly before a match kicked off
- He was reportedly suspended after the incident was seen on social media and picked up by major publications
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A VAR scandal is brewing in Bulgaria after an official was spotted using a 'betting app' while on duty during a game.
What did VAR official in Bulgaria do?
According to the Sun, an official in Bulgaria was caught allegedly scrolling through a betting site on live television during a game.
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The report adds that the official allegedly used the site before a match pitting CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia in the Bulgarian top flight.
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He was immediately suspended after the video of the incident went viral. Hawk-Eye Innovations are in charge of VAR in the Bulgarian top flight.
“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 yesterday evening (2nd April 2025)."
“If the individual has been found to have been engaging in such inappropriate activity, we will look to dismiss the individual in accordance with their contractual term," the statement added.
Hawk-Eye are based in Basingstoke England and have worked in the Bulgarian league for a few years, per Sportbible.
VAR controversies in Europe in 2024/25
Refereeing controversies have grabbed headlines this season in top European leagues, especially in the Premier League and La Liga.
In England for instance, a referee was fired and VAR mistakes keep piling on. This week alone, James Tarkwoski escaped a red card following a dangerous tackle on Alexis Mc Allister.
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There have also been controversial red cards. In January, Michael Oliver sent Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly off, but it was later overturned.
Man United conceded a contentious penalty that led to the sacking of head coach Erik ten Hag in October against West Ham.
On Thursday in Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, a VAR check took several minutes, angering Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who had a few words in his post-match interview.
"I don’t like it, mate, I’ve never liked it, I don’t see how it’s benefitted our game, I don’t think anyone would have complained if they went with the referee’s decision because you get some good, you get some bad and you get on with it and the game finishes in 93 or 94 minutes and the game flows," he said via Football London.
In Spain, Real Madrid filed a complaint with the Spanish Football Federation to protest a decision made in their defeat to Espanyol in February, per TNT Sports. La Liga boss Javier Tebas responded by saying "football does not revolve around Real Madrid."
La Liga has been beset by VAR issues in the last few seasons too.
Why Tarkowski wasn't sent off
TUKO.co.ke earlier reported that the Premier League released a statement to address the Tarkwoski incident.
The challenge was deemed as reckless and not "seriously foul play." The decision angered fans who strongly slammed the officiating in the Merseyside derby.
