Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 3:43 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 3:44 p.m.
On Wednesday at noon, the Romanian Football Federation came with explanations after the embarrassing moment on Tuesday evening, from Ploiestiwhen the anthem “Wake up, Romanians!”, sung before the start of the game by Cezar Ouatu, was a total failure. And the artist, for his part, explained with regret, in a post on Facebook, what happened at the start of the match.
The match, the last of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, was played in torrential rain and that is why there were problems with the microphone of the artist chosen by the FRF to sing the national anthem in the duel with San Marino.
“The heavy rain caused a failure of the connection between the microphone of the artist Cezar Ouatu and the receiver connected to the sound system of the stadium”explained the representatives of the FRF, who regret the moment and who announce that the artist who in 2013 was at Eurovision will return to another match of the first representative team to repeat the moment.
UPDATE » The message sent by Cezar Ouatu
First of all, congratulations to the Romanian national football team for the well-deserved victory against San Marino!
Regrettably, I have to clarify certain matters related to the timing of the anthem! Due to some malfunctions and technical problems of sound emission, problems that did not depend on me, as an artist, the interpretation of the Romanian National Anthem was not heard in the stadium and at home, as it should have been, everyone noticing and listening only to the frequent interruptions of the microphone and the total imbalance created!
I can assure you that both at the rehearsals and on the evening of the match, I sang with all my heart, with the same emotion, passion, honor and deep respect for the audience, for the team and for the country, together with my colleagues from the Paul Constantinescu Philharmonic – Ploiesti, who regardless of the weather conditions were with me and all of us with the same dedication and passion for art and Romania!
I would like to emphasize the fact that it was a gesture of honor, accepting the invitation from the Romanian Football Federation pro bono, out of deep respect for Romania, the public and the tricolors!
– Cezar Ouatu's message
The original news
Explanations from FRF for the embarrassing moment during the national anthem, with Cezar Ouatu, in Romania – San Marino
“The Romanian Football Federation regrets the technical incident that happened on Tuesday, November 18, at the “Ilie Oană” stadium in Ploiesti, at the time of the singing of the national anthem before the Romania – San Marino match.
Although the entire moment had been thoroughly prepared, and rehearsals held for two hours the day before the match confirmed the flawless functioning of the equipment, a technical fault prevented the moment from unfolding.
The heavy rain caused a failure of the connection between the microphone of the artist Cezar Ouatu and the receiver connected to the sound system of the stadium, and the administrators of the stadium could not solve the situation. Because of this, his performance could not be properly played to the public“, the FRF representatives sent.
As Cezar Ouatu sang the national anthem for nothing, the Federation intends to retaliate in a future event.
“The FRF expresses its deep regret for this incident and emphasizes that the experience of the spectators at the matches of the national team is an absolute priority. The Romanian Football Federation thanks Cezar Ouatu for his professionalism, availability and the fact that he accepted the invitation to perform the anthem.
We are honored to announce that the artist will relive the moment at a future home game, in a formula that will ensure the flawless performance of his performance.
At the same time, the FRF wants to remind the fact that the artists invited to perform the anthem do so pro bono, out of the desire to support the national team and be close to the Romanian public.
The Romanian Football Federation remains committed to the continuous improvement of the match experience for the supporters of the national team”, said the FRF.
