Ioanițoaia up to date » The Director of GSP, about refereeing in the Super League: “The biggest blunder”

Ovidiu Ioanițoaia stated that the round was full of controversial decisions by the referees, especially the goal disallowed by Radu Petrescu in the Petrolul Ploiești – FC Argeș duel (2-1). He also spoke about the canceled penalty in extra time of the game between Hermannstadt and CFR Cluj (0-1), but also about the phase in the match Dinamo – Slobozia (1-0), when Carnat's shot would have crossed the goal line.

Later, the GSP director also analyzed the performance of the University of Craiova, which he considers, at this moment, the main favorite to win the Super League.

Ovidiu Ioanițoaia: “There was a big refereeing mistake at Dinamo – Slobozia”

“In my opinion, the Ploiesti phase is the biggest blunder. Sure, and what Chivulete tried in extra time of the match in Sibiu when he gave a warning to Keita and kicked from 11 meters. Chivulete is a referee who, in my eyes, has no credibility. In the specific case where Hațegan sent it to VAR and was convinced that nothing happened, he at least had the strength to give up and let the game continue. Do you realize what would have happened if he had persisted in his error and Hermannstadt had equalized?

Then, another big refereeing mistake was at Dinamo – Slobozia. I found out later, because no one noticed during the match. I wouldn't blame the central Vădana, nor Flueran, the one in the VAR room, because at Carnat's goal, it really wasn't seen. The eye could not realize, so neither could the referees, if the ball exceeded the entire circumference of the goal line. The redhead swore that the ball didn't go all the way into the goal, but today I saw some footage showing that it was empty. If it had ended in a draw it would have been an unfair result.

Beyond the good organization of Slobozia, which Claudiu Niculescu made better, Dinamo deserved to win. He had more chances, 73% possession, so he played 3 times more than the opponent, but it would not have been the only case where a result would have been registered against the course of the game. I repeat, I would not accuse Vădana or Flueran, because it was not seen. An unwritten law in arbitration is that when you are not convinced, you are not sure, you do not give. Petrescu realized he was wrong or was told from the VAR room and wanted to correct it. But never fix a mistake with another mistake. But this is football, without mistakes it wouldn't be nice.”

Ioanițoaia: “It's hard for me to believe that FCSB is still the main favorite for the title”

“Dinamo came within 1 point of Universitatea Craiova. On Saturday we have Rapid – Dinamo, and in case of a win, Rapid scores 52 points. Craiova does not have an easy match at Slobozia, changed for the better. It is in the interest of the competition that the champion team, FCSB, enters the play-offs, but it is difficult for me to agree with the statement that FCSB is still the main favorite for the title. It is in the hands of others, it does not depend only on her results, she can take 9 out of 9 in the three remaining matches with Metaloglobus, UTA and Cluj University, but it does not ensure her qualification in the play-offs. The qualification also depends on the other results.

FCSB has a spectacular team, we also missed Gigi Becali's spectacular statements that he will destroy everyone, but at the moment it is difficult for me to say that there is another favorite for the title outside of Craiova. Of course, Dinamo is also running for the title, being only 1 point away. Dinamo has the advantage of one coach, which I praised even before the team achieved these results.

Craiova recommends itself with a more valuable, larger batch, and this was also seen in the victory against FCSB (no. 1-0). Missing Nsimba and Baiaram and playing with Al Hamlawi and Etim, the lack of two important starters in attack was practically not felt. While at FCSB the absence of Florin Tănase “hanged very hard” like those, less important, of Thiam and Ngezana.

At the moment, from what we can see, beyond likes and dislikes, the main favorite for the title seems to be Craiova. There is pressure on Craiova, who have been waiting for this title for 35 years, from this point of view, FCSB has more casualness, more experience. And Kopic has more experience than Coelho, the coach of Craiova, but it seems to me a risky statement to say that FCSB is the main favorite for the title, when they are in 10th place and 13 points behind Craiova University.”

Ovidiu Ioanițoaia: “CFR Cluj must also be taken into account”

“Pancu did a miracle in Gruia. They sold many important players, but Pancu really did a miracle, 8 consecutive victories, something unprecedented in this championship. I heard him now modestly, not to say cunningly, that he is only thinking about a place on the podium. So CFR is not specifically targeting the title of champion, although it appears for the first time in the play-off, between the University of Cluj and FC Argeș. Argeș being frustrated by two results that could have raised her in the ranking, but they lowered her.

Of course, CFR Cluj must be taken into account, but also Cluj University. Does he have his last match in Bucharest with FCSB, if he wins it? FCSB starts as the favorite at home, but also “U” Cluj with Bergodi is a growing, balanced team with a lot of experience.

From my point of view, it is too early to pronounce on the champion team. There are 3 stages left in the regular season, and then we'll see what happens in the play-offs. The matches are dramatic, with unexpected endings, and everyone wants points. Nobody cares about the aesthetic anymore, the most important thing is to get points. Because of these big refereeing errors, some human, like the one from Dinamo – Slobozia, others inexplicable, like Radu Petrescu's, but also some of Chivulete's blunders, among which one was corrected yesterday, when Hațegan sent him to VAR, and Andrei Chivulete had the strength, he should be congratulated for that, to go back on an erroneous decision”, concluded Ioanițoaia.

VIDEO Ovidiu Ioanițoaia, about refereeing in the Super League