A player collapsed and died during a regional league fixture in Bulgaria's Montana region on Sunday, according to Gong.bg.
What happened on the pitch
The incident took place during an away match between Raketa Gabrovnitsa and Minyor Chiprovtsi in the Montana regional group. At around 5:40 p.m., a 44-year-old player from Gabrovnitsa collapsed on the pitch and lost consciousness. A medical professional on duty at the stadium administered first aid, but the emergency team from the Chiprovtsi branch of the national emergency center arrived only to confirm the man had died. Initial information cited by Gong.bg points to a heart attack as the likely cause. The player's body was transferred to the forensic medicine department at Montana Hospital for an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.
The case is under the supervision of the Montana District Prosecutor's Office, which is overseeing the investigation.
How Bulgarian grassroots football is structured
Bulgaria's football pyramid extends well below the professional Efbet Liga, branching into dozens of regional and district leagues where amateur players compete for their villages and towns. The Montana regional group is one such competition, drawing players who often combine full-time work with weekend football.
Sudden cardiac events during sport occur across countries and competitions at all levels. In this case, a stadium medic was present and acted immediately. The Montana District Prosecutor's Office is investigating the full circumstances of the death.
