Presumed dead, club legend attends match two weeks after minute’s silence for him

Bulgarian side Arda Kardzhali invited club great Petko Ganchev and feted him at their first division match on Wednesday, two weeks after they held a minute’s silence for their former player thinking he had died.

Bulgarian club holds minute’s silence for ex-player who is still alive

When Arda played Levski Sofia last month, players from both sides lined up at the centre circle to honour Ganchev.

But before the day was done, the club posted a message saying they had received “incorrect information about his death” and that the 78-year-old was very much alive.

On Wednesday, the club said their ‘legend’ was a special guest for their match against Cherno More, where the home side won 4-0. Ganchev also received a jersey with his name and the number nine.

“Before the match Petko Ganchev saw the sport director Ivaylo Petkov, who gave him a jubilee jersey… He watched the match in the company of other ARDA veterans,” the club said.

“Once again we apologise to Petko Ganchev for the gaffe two weeks ago.”

Ganchev said he received several phone calls when the club held a minute’s silence while his wife was in tears when he got home late to watch the match.

“When I heard the terrible news, I poured myself a little brandy,” he had told Bulgarian outlet Blitz.

“To bury you alive is very stressful. Truthfully, the situation was not pleasant.”

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