This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
On July 6, 2020, a laboratory mistake led to the quarantining of over 20 players and officials from two Bulgarian top-flight football clubs.
According to reports, Tsarsko Selo defender Martin Kavdanski played in their league game against Cherno More Varna on Thursday despite testing positive for COVID-19.
However, the laboratory, which conducted the players' tests, had informed the club and the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) that all pre-match tests were negative.
It was only on Friday that the lab admitted it had made a mistake, saying Kavdanski's test was positive.
Three more players from Tsarsko Selo - Ivaylo Ivanov, Iliya Dzhamov, and Kiril Troharov - also tested positive for COVID-19 after new tests.
Local media reported that Tsarsko Selo's owner, Stoyne Manolov, has also tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Cherno More Varna, the opposing team, also reported 16 positive tests for COVID-19, with all players who tested positive being quarantined.
Despite the positive tests, Cherno More said they are still ready to play their league match at home to Arda Kardzhali on Tuesday, relying on junior players.
