Article by Andrei Crăiţoiu, Cezar Titor – Published Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:00 p.m. / Updated Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:01 p.m.
On Sunday, in Bănie, Universitatea Craiova and Rapid will fight to get their hands on all the points and keep their chances of winning the championship. The match starts at 21:00, liveTEXT on GSP.ro and live on Digi Sport 1 and Prima Sport 1.
Universitatea Craiova – Rapid is the headliner in the Superliga play-off, Sunday, from 21:00.
Szabolcs Kovacs was delegated to U Craiova – Rapid
Extremely important for both teams, the game on “Ion Oblemenco” will be led by Szabolcs Kovacs (38 years old), the brother of Istvan Kovacs, also delegated in the play-off, to FC Argeș – CFR Cluj.
Szabolcs Kovacs. Photo: Cristi Preda (GSP)
Szabolcs Kovacs has collected 19 matches this season and 63 in the Superliga. The debut being on December 19, 2020, Chindia Targoviste – FC Arges 2-2.
In the current season, Szabolcs Kovacs has “whistled” Craiova six times, ZERO wins, five draws and only one loss. In the current season, two matches, both at home 1-2 with FC Argeș and 1-1 with CFR Cluj.
Also six matches for Rapid, but 4 wins, a draw and a defeat. In the current season three matches, two victories 3-1 with Farul and 1-0 with Metaloglobus, plus a defeat with Farul 1-3.
Kyros Vassaras canceled the delegation of Andrei Florin
According to GSP.RO information, Szabolcs Kovacs was not initially delegated to this game, but he was summoned urgently by the president of the Central Commission, the Greek Kyros Vassaras.
Gazeta Sporturilor learned that initially, the Greek at the head of the CCA had chosen Andrei Florin, from Târgu Mureș, for the duel in Bănie.
What made Kyros Vassaras cancel his delegation to the duel between Craiova University and Rapid?! The performance with mistakes from the Super League promotion derby, between Sepsi and FC Argeș.
Andrei Florin
The 40-year-old “central” was harshly criticized by the officials of the two teams for the extremely poor refereeing in League 2.
“I find it disrespectful and I'll stop here…”
Ovidiu Burcă, Sepsi's technician, was the most affected, especially since his team conceded a goal in extra time after a wrongly awarded penalty.
“In general, I don't talk about refereeing, but to give such a penalty, in the conditions where there is a foul in the attack, by no means a penalty! I am extremely saddened and angry. To have a League 1 referee and give such a penalty, in a very important game in the fight for promotion, seems disrespectful to me and I will stop there, because I don't want to be suspended“, said Burcă at the end of the game at Sfântu Gheorghe.
And those from FC Voluntari complained about the refereeing of Andrei Florin, who had to judge two phases, but made pro-Sepsi decisions. A possible penalty for Haruț's handball (45) and another for Otelita's foul on Babic (84).
How the standings look today in the Superliga
