March 20 – Arda Kardzhali’s management has apologized to club legend Petko Ganchev (pictured) after finding out that they had mourned him prior to last weekend’s Bulgarian league match with Levski Sofia when he was in fact very much alive!
Indeed, the former Arda player, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year, was so stunned by the news that the two teams had held a minute’s silence for him that he drank a shot of brandy to recover.
Arda subsequently published a letter of apology to their fans and journalists, explaining that there had been a mix-up with the names of two former team players.
They said: “Arda’s management is issuing an official statement regarding the incident of Sunday, March 16, when, before the match between Arda and Levski, it was reported about the death of Arda’s legendary footballer, Petko Ganchev.
“On the day of the match with Levski, information was received about the death of a person who, according to the source, had played for Arda for a long time and scored many goals, and his name was Petko. According to this description, the only one who fits the profile in question is the club’s legend, Petko Ganchev.
“After a detailed investigation on our part, it turned out that the person who died is called Petko Gochev and had introduced himself to colleagues that he had played for Arda. Also, another coincidence with the information is that both Gochev and Ganchev live near Stara Zagora. It was a mistake on our part that we did not check this information in more detail, since we considered it reliable and wanted to give deserved [tribute] to the legendary footballer.
“We would like to inform you that club leaders have already contacted and apologized to Petko Ganchev, who has been invited to be an official guest at Arda’s next home match, namely on April 2nd against Cherno More.
“Once again, we express our deepest regret for the situation that has arisen, which has certainly caused great concern to Petko Ganchev’s family.”
Contact the writer of this article, Alexander Krassimirov, at moc.l1742513956labto1742513956ofdlr1742513956owedi1742513956sni@o1742513956fni1742513956.