An extraordinary controversy has erupted in Bulgarian football after an official was caught on camera appearing to use a betting app while inside the VAR operations room during a top-flight match. The incident unfolded during a Parva Liga clash between CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, where CSKA secured a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Olaus Skarsem. While the match result was straightforward, the fallout from behind-the-scenes events has taken center stage and cast a shadow over the integrity of the game.
Moments before kickoff, live television cameras inadvertently captured one of the VAR operators using his mobile phone for several seconds before setting it aside. Though the screen content was not fully visible, the footage appeared to show the official browsing a football betting application, a move that stunned both viewers watching the broadcast and those who later saw the viral clip circulating on social media platforms.
The reaction was swift. Hawk-Eye Innovations, the company responsible for managing VAR technology in the Bulgarian top division, acted immediately by suspending the individual from all active duties pending a full investigation. The incident prompted the company to send a formal notification to the Bulgarian Football Union, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and outlining their next steps.
“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),” the company stated in an official letter. “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 emphasized that its staff are held to the highest standards of professionalism and that any breach of trust would not be tolerated. They made it clear that should the investigation confirm the official’s involvement in betting activities while on duty, it would result in immediate dismissal in line with contractual agreements.
“If the employee has been found to have been engaging in such inappropriate activity, Hawk-Eye Innovations will look to dismiss the individual in accordance with their contractual terms,” the statement continued.
Hawk-Eye Innovations, headquartered in Basingstoke, UK, and a subsidiary of the Sony Sports Innovations Group, has maintained a longstanding relationship with the Bulgarian Football Union. The company has played a central role in supporting technological advancements in the league and expressed hope that this isolated incident would not tarnish the broader partnership or its reputation within the sport.
They also reaffirmed their strict internal guidelines that prohibit any form of gambling by their employees or contractors, especially in competitions where they provide officiating services. “Hawk-Eye fully recognises the necessity for its personnel to act at all times with the highest levels of professionalism and integrity in its trusted position working with the Bulgarian Football Union and other customers,” the company stated. “The company has strong policies in place that explicitly forbid its employees and contractors from engaging in any betting activity in any sports or competitions where it provides officiating services.”
The revelation has sent ripples through the football community, raising serious questions about oversight and accountability in VAR rooms, where trust and impartiality are paramount. While VAR technology is designed to eliminate human error and ensure fairness on the pitch, this incident highlights the potential vulnerabilities when individuals misuse their authority.
As the investigation unfolds, both Hawk-Eye and the Bulgarian Football Union will be under pressure to demonstrate transparency and take decisive action. For fans and clubs alike, the expectation is clear: integrity in officiating must remain non-negotiable, and even a momentary lapse in judgment cannot be ignored.
