Article by Iulian Pavel – Published Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:25 / Updated Saturday, February 14, 2026 11:26
The last stages in Romania of 2026 reminded us, again, of the mud of the 90s and even 2000.
The phase of the disallowed goal from the 86th minute in Petrolul – FC Argeș left another black mark on Romanian football. A success by which the Pitesti would have had one foot in the play-offs, taking into account the schedule of the last remaining stages of the regular season.
But no, because Radu Petrescu, a referee who has made, over time, more errors than kilometers of highway inaugurated in 2025, made a new shameful decision. How much?
One can be remembered, from 2011, at a Voința Sibiu – CFR Cluj. In the 73rd minute, at 0-0, Beto from the visitors made a mistake and fell on the lawn, without being touched by Iulian Popa, who was behind him. Petrescu dictated a foul in the attack, while the ball reached Dîlbea, who scored without problems in the empty net.
“What happened at Petrolul – FC Argeș is not human error, it is premeditated”
Florin Pruneaat Digisport
And Chivulete committed it, also against FC Argeș
Even the CCA had a prompt reaction, overwhelmed by embarrassment, after Petrescu's absurdity. Yes, it must be drastically suspended, but how does it help the people of Pitesti? The same ones who were also disadvantaged with UTA a few stages ago when they did not receive a clear penalty. The author at that time, another referee held in arms for too long, Andrei Chivulete. And according to Daniel Stanciu, he would even have been called to VAR to examine the phase, but he would have refused.
The violent slippage of Dani Coman, one of the most tempered footballers and leaders in Romanian football, only shows the frustration and helplessness of a president of a team considered too small to fight with the giants of the Superliga. Not that I would agree with the language, but who hasn't lost their temper when wronged? And the consequences were major in last night's case.
FC Argeș is too small for the play-offs, but too big to be ignored
FC Argeș is so “small” that it managed to win a round trip with FCSB and CFR Cluj, the strongest teams of the last 20 years. Yes, he got 12 points with teams that are currently not in the play-offs with 4 rounds to go.
And can FC Argeș leave the forces of the championship in the play-out? After what we saw last night, the chances are slim. How to go Andone, Moldoveanu, Tudose and Straton in the play-off instead of Pancu, Camora, Tănase, Olaru or Bîrligea…
Iftime wants FCSB in the play-offs, Steel football-champagne
And if FCSB played more than mediocre football most of the season, Valeriu Iftime remembered, even before the direct match, that he wants the champion in the play-offs. Even in the 4th League, no such reaction was heard. All said and done, Botoșani played anemic, and FCSB had more shots than even Mihai Stoica can remember.
But wait, 3 days later, he shot even more, now away with Oțelul, the team that had sold Joao Paulo to FCSB and that practiced champagne football. A simple coincidence!
Even Stoica says it, nervously, at Prima Sport: “This is how the tops are made? They are no longer like the old days, now it is impossible. It was simply football, with mistakes, nothing arranged. And those who say otherwise are handicapped”. We do not contradict him, he is more experienced.
One of the roles of the media is to give a voice to all parties involved and to ask the questions that microbiologists cannot formulate – as journalists Costin Ștucan and Decebal Rădulescu asked themselves publicly.
And if we follow FCSB's first 3 goals, we can ask why Dur-Bozoancă wanted to go out and stopped at Bîrligea's first success. Or why the same attacker was alone at a corner, 5 meters from the goal. Or how Olaru climbs unhindered to the edge of the small square at goal 3.
How long does he hide under the rug, how long is he silent?
