Craiova defeated Rapidul, score 5-1, in a U17 play-off match last weekend: frustrated by the result of the game, several parents beat up the father of a football player from Olt, everything under the gaze of the former captain of Giulești, Vasile Maftei, who did not intervene. The newspaper contacted him, as well as the victim of the incident.
The victim of the parents' anger is Ciprian Ecobici, the father of the defender from CSU Craiova, Rareș Ecobici.
After scoring and providing an assist, Rareș became the target of the Giulești players: to a dangerous entry by one of the opponents, Rareș's father reacted by cursing, at which point several parents of Rapid's juniors camped on him.
The father of a junior from Craiova, beaten by Rapid supporters right in front of Vasile Maftei
After the entire deployment of forces, Ciprian Ecobici arrived at the hospital with cracks in his jaw, which requires surgery, and he is going to file a criminal complaint: “When I came to the stadium, without knowing it, I sat in the stands in the area next to the Rapidist supporters. I was with my 11-year-old daughter, my wife and mother-in-law, plus two more friends, who were sitting a little lower. Craiova started very well, they were leading 2-0.
My boy scored one goal and assisted the other. Shortly after the break, a central defender from Rapid came at him very hard, directly on his knee, at which point I couldn't control myself anymore and started cursing.
At that moment, a group of seven or eight men from Rapid's group camped on me and beat me up. They didn't put me down, but they hit me continuously for almost a minute. I was holding my daughter's hand, who was terribly scared and started to cry.
Rareș Ecobici, CSU Craiova U17 defender
“I have to have surgery. I will file a complaint”
All this time, Maftei was right next to the incident, but he did not intervene even for a second to level off. He sat and watched. Later, I went to Hospital number 1 in Craiova and, after investigations, it turned out that I cracked a bone in my jaw. I will have to have surgery and have two titanium screws attached there. I will do the intervention at a private hospital. I will also file a complaint with the Police.
I identified one of the aggressors. His name is Dorin Marian and he is the father of the defender who broke into my son. They are from Vrancea, but the kid plays at Rapid. Now, I kind of blame myself for swearing at that stage, but believe me I was very scared for my boy's physical integrity. Regardless of my reaction, I don't think anyone can justify the physical aggression of the parents from Rapid. The law will decide further!”, the parent explained to GSP.ro.
On the sidelines, alongside the scandalous parents, was also Vasile Maftei, who preferred to stay away from the conflict on the sidelines.
Vasile Maftei for GSP: “You can't wait for someone to curse your child!”
Contacted by Gazeta Sporturilor, the former captain of Rapidu recounted the incident: “He was a Craiova supporter in our section and kept cursing the children. It happened that that parent was right next to the father of the footballer he was cursing. Swearing at him several times, he told him to stop, but he finally snapped. I'm not apologizing for him, I'm not defending him, but you can't stand by someone swearing at your child, but I don't agree with what he did. At the same time, the respective parent was also extremely recalcitrant, it is not ok to swear at children. The bystanders intervened, it's the organizers' job to ensure security”
Victor Angelescu and Vasile Maftei (in cherry), at Rapid – CFR Cluj / photo Ionuț Iordache (GSP)
“We would also intervene, but it's complicated. You can choose with a punch in the mouth. I will have a discussion with those involved. I will explain to them that what he did is not ok, that they should not have reacted like that. The victim should file a complaint, notify the authorities, we'll see what happens.”
