Major VAR controversy as official spotted 'using betting app' while on duty during top flight game

An official has been suspended after footage appeared to show him on a betting app while in the VAR room.

On Wednesday, in the Bulgarian top flight, CSKA Sofia played Lokomotiv Sofia at the Vasil Levski National Stadium and claimed a 1-0 victory after a strike from Olaus Skarsem.

But the fixture brought up major controversy following an incident with one of the VAR operators. Prior to the game, cameras for TV coverage looked to capture the official on his phone for a few seconds before putting it down.

Though the exact content wasn't visible, the official, who was next to two other colleagues in the room, appeared to be looking at a football betting app on his mobile device - stunning viewers who were watching live and those who saw the viral clip on social media channels.

Hawk-Eye Innovations, who control the VAR system in Bulgarian football's top tier, quickly moved to suspend the employee "from all activity" while they investigate the conduct.

The company wrote a letter to the Bulgarian Football Union to inform them of the situation, stating: "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)."

“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.”

They said that if an investigation finds that if the employee "has been found to have been engaging in such inappropriate activity", they will look to "dismiss the individual in accordance with their contractual terms".

Hawk-Eye Innovations, based in Basingstoke and part of Sony Sports Innovations Group, have been a partner of the Bulgarian Football Union for a number of years and hope that this isolated incident does not affect their working relationship.

They confirmed employees are banned from betting while in a trusted position and involved in officiating.

"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, and 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," they added, as per Inside World Football.