VAR Official Seen Using Betting App During Live Match in Bulgaria
In a recent incident that has raised serious concerns, a video assistant referee (VAR) official was seen using a smartphone in the VAR operations room, with what appeared to be a betting app visible on the screen.
Incident Recorded in VAR Operations Room
The incident took place during a live broadcast showing the VAR operations room, where representatives of Hawk-Eye Innovations, the company responsible for VAR in Bulgaria, were monitoring a match in the Parva Liga, the country’s premier football league. The match between PFC CSKA-Sofia and PFC Lokomotiv Sofia took place on April 2, 2025.
Live footage captured one of the individuals in the VAR operations room briefly using a smartphone. Although the camera only caught the incident for a moment before the individual put the phone away, it clearly displayed an app that resembled a betting application.
Concerns Over Inappropriate Conduct and Sponsorship
While using a smartphone or a betting app in the VAR room is a direct violation of established regulations, there is an additional concerning aspect of the incident. During the broadcast, an advertisement for a well-known bookmaker, inbet, was visible in the background of the VAR room. This promotion raised further concerns about the potential conflict of interest and the integrity of the match.
Hawk-Eye Innovations, addressed the incident in a letter to the Bulgarian Football Union:
“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.”
Hawk-Eye Innovations emphasized the seriousness of the incident and confirmed that an immediate investigation had been launched. The individual seen using the smartphone has been suspended while the investigation is underway.