“My question for him is this”

CONTEXT:

• Ionuț Lupescu criticized the manner of arbitration from Rapid – Dinamo, a game in which Istvan Kovacs made a decisive mistake, and especially the lack of reaction from the VAR room;

• Later, Răzvan Burleanu defended Kovacs, whom he said was “the best Romanian referee” and he had a harsh message for Lupescu: “We remember that in the past, before 2014, people who we actually saw during this period giving their opinion about the performance of Istvan Kovacs were the very ones who made the delegations in Romanian football. It was a period marked by a lot of corruption in refereeing. I am directly referring here to Mr. Ionuț Lupescu”;

• In the first phase, Lupescu did not answer Burleanu. He refused to do it, especially since the FRF elections were coming up, which he decided to boycott.

Now, more than 10 days after the elections, Lupescu spoke extensively about this topic, continuing to criticize the current head of the FRF, recently elected for the fourth time in a row. “He is a corporatist, with a cheeky rhetoric, he copies the politicians of Romania for 10-15 years, but FRF and Romanian football did not start in 2014”, said Lupescu directly, on the show “Digi Sport Special”, Sunday evening.

Lupescu, wave of criticism towards Burleanu: “I don't know what the naysayers are referring to. My question remained unanswered”

“I didn't want to intervene, it was the fourth congress. From what I understand, corruption no longer exists in the federation. Mr. Kyros was brought into Mircea Sandu's mandate. I don't think Istvan Kovacs is the best, but he falls into a category, along with Rainea and Crăciunescu.

I sit and wonder… I understand that he is a corporatist, with cheeky rhetoric, copying politicians for 10-15 years in Romania, but FRF and Romanian football did not start in 2014. It's a big problem for them. Every time, at a General Assembly, it is very clear that they have a big problem in what money transparency means. Romanian football has long been led by supporters and great coaches, it has not only been working since 2014.

My question remained unanswered. I did not expect to be given an answer. He has nothing to do with football, he doesn't know the players, nor the VAR. I want them to tell me who are responsible for the VAR, because I don't know who it is. I don't know why Dinamo didn't ask for more attention. Those who deal with VAR… I appreciate Kyros, I know what he did for Romanian football, and Hațegan.

I don't know what the hell he was referring to. I have seen for 12 years that three World Cups have passed in which I did not participate. At every general assembly… at the first Gică Popescu was arrested, we know what happened, with the press, he was imprisoned, then I, now the 'masker', the candidate Drăgan, whose microphone was cut off so he could not speak.

My question is: what is the calculation in this plan? I participated in many activities and gatherings in the federation and it's a shame. This general assembly gave a very bad image, don't let anyone speak. It's not Burleanu's problem, the problem is the system he created: people who should work in the territory and are the same as Mr. President”, said Lupescu, referring to Burleanu.

Lupescu: “Burleanu's father was a footballer, but the boy has no job”

Then he continued the wave of criticism towards the head of Romanian football, whom he accused of not knowing either football or players, and that he doesn't even have a past to recommend him.

“We cannot compare Ceferin with Burleanu. He is a lawyer, he has a famous family of lawyers in Slovenia. Burleanu's father was a footballer, but the boy has no job, he does not know the history of football, the coaches, the players. He is amazing.

But what did he do in 12 years? Football did not develop at all. There is not enough transparency about the money, it is not said what happens to it, these are the main problems. Infrastructure is also a major problem, especially at the level of children and juniors”, concluded Lupescu.

Răzvan Burleanu, president of the FRF