Everything you need to know about the VAR Official Caught 'BETTING' on Live TV

A referee in the VAR room has been suspended after being caught on live television appearing to scroll through a football betting site using his phone just minutes before a top-flight Bulgarian match.

The incident, which occurred ahead of the game between CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia on April 2, 2025, has raised concerns about the integrity of

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The official under probe was working under the authority of Hawk-Eye Innovations which is a company responsible for delivering VAR technology in the Bulgarian First League.

In what after footage from the VAR operations room showed the official using a personal smartphone.

A photo began circulating  on social media afterwards showing the VAR official scrolling on his phone in what is allegedly on a betting site just minutes before the kickoff.

Sources indicate that a live feed from the VAR room left little room for doubt and prompted immediate action from Hawk-Eye Innovations.

In a statement, the company  has expressed deep regret and confirmed the suspension of the individual pending a full investigation.

“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,” reads a  letter to the Bulgarian Football Union as per

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The referee’s conduct falls under what the company described as “gross misconduct,” and depending on the findings, termination of the official’s contract might be implemented.

Hawk-Eye Innovations now faces questions over the safeguards it has in place to maintain the integrity of its VAR operators.

The company has stated that they have launched a full internal investigation but many critics argue that the damage may already be done.

However, there is no confirmation that the VAR official actually placed any bets but the mere act of browsing such a site while on duty is seen as a serious breach of professional standards.

In  football where margins are razor-thin and billions are often on the line even the perception of bias or compromised judgment can have wide-ranging consequences.

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The incident brings out the need to check the standards and supervision in VAR rooms which are often hidden from public view but hold immense influence over a match’s outcomes.

The Bulgarian incident could not have come at a worse time for VAR, which has already been heavily criticized by fans for inconsistency and delays since its inception.

Many football lovers are taking this latest revelation seriously and this not only adds to their frustrations and suspicions about the system.

FIFA may now feel pressure to tighten protocols and increase oversight within VAR operations.

Some football analysts have even called for independent monitoring of to ensure such incidents never happen again.