A VAR official has landed in hot water after appearing to scroll through a betting site on live TV.
A Bulgarian official is alleged to have been spotted using the site moments before kick-off between CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia.
He was suspended after footage of the incident began to circulate on social media.
Hawk-Eye Innovations, which is responsible for the VAR system in the Bulgarian First League, explained the decision in a letter to the Bulgarian Football Union.
It said: “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).
“Live footage from the camera situation in the VAR operations room documented the individual utilising 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.”
The company said it would investigate the official during his suspension, as reported by NeedToKnow.
It added: “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 terms.”
Fans were shocked by the revelation with one saying: “Lol that’s wild.”
Another added: “Everything you need to know about VAR…”
A third wrote: “Nah this is some nasty business.”
And another commented: “We are in a very bad situation…”
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