International sports

VAR official suspended after being caught checking betting site during live match

A Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been officially suspended after being caught on live television seemingly browsing a betting site.

The incident reportedly occurred just minutes before kick-off in a Bulgarian league match between CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia, raising serious concerns about professionalism and integrity.

The suspension followed the circulation of footage on social media, prompting Hawk-Eye Innovations, the organisation responsible for the VAR system in the Bulgarian First League, to report the matter to the Bulgarian Football Union.

After conducting an investigation, Hawk-Eye Innovations released a statement to the Bulgarian Football Union, urging the league to investigate the official involved.

The statement read, “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 on Wednesday evening (2nd April 2025).

“Live footage from the VAR operations room documented the individual using 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 statement further revealed that the referee risks losing their job if found guilty.

“If the individual is found to have engaged in such inappropriate activity, we will move to dismiss them in accordance with their contractual terms,” it added.

 

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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