The head of the VAR was “reactivated” as a deputy! » He had more matches in Arab countries than in the Super League
Article by Sebastian Vasile, David Marinescu – Published Friday, January 30, 2026 23:13 / Updated Friday, January 30, 2026 23:26
Ovidiu Hațegan (45 years old) was delegated as assistant VAR to CFR Cluj – Metaloglobus 4-2as help for Lucian Rusandu. The last appearance in the VAR booth was in the 18th stage, in the match U Cluj – Universitatea Craiova, played on December 1, 2025, when he was the post holder.
Appointed head of VAR a year ago, more precisely on July 2, 2025, Hațegan had more delegations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates than in Romanian football, although he holds a leadership position in domestic arbitration.
The first delegation to the Superliga after two months
The former “central” from Arad was delegated by his direct boss, Kyros Vassaras, to only six games in the Superliga. He was a VAR referee in stages 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, plus now at CFR Cluj – Metaloglobus, as a VAR assistant! Of these six games, four were contested in Cluj-Napoca, three of them having CFR Cluj as the host.
- Video source: Prima Sport 1
The last match to which he had been delegated by CCA before this stage took place on December 1, 2025, Universitatea Cluj – Universitatea Craiova, score 0-0. From then until the match between CFR Cluj and Metaloglobus, Hațegan was not delegated to the Super League.
Seven matches for Hațegan abroad
Instead, in external competitions, Hațegan was delegated to seven matches, one more than in the Superliga.
The new competitive season started for him with two consecutive matches in the United Arab Emirates, where he was VAR on 17 and 18 August 2025: Ajman – Al Wahda 0-2 and Al Ain – Al Bataen 2-1.
A match in the Prince's Cup in Saudi Arabia, Al Batin v Al Ahli (October 27) followed, then four more league appearances.
Ovidiu Hațegan tested the VAR simulator. Photo: frf.ro
Two in 2025: Al Taawoun – Al Qadsiah 2-0 (November 1) and Al Hilal – Al Fateh 2-1 (November 22), followed by two more in 2026: Al Ahli – Al Nassr 3-2 (January 2) and Al Najma – Al Qadsiah 1-3 (January 25).
