Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Friday, 01 May 2026, 13:00 / Updated Friday, 01 May 2026 13:06
The Central Commission of Referees delegated Szabolcs Kovacs to the “center” in the derby between University of Craiova and Dinamo from stage 7 of the Superliga play-off. A possible success of the hosts would take the Olteni one step closer to the title.
Szabolcs Kovacs was the protagonist of a controversial phase in the derby between CFR Cluj and U Cluj (1-0), from the previous stage.
In the 77th minute of the match, Karlo Muhar intervened by sliding on Dan Nistor, and Kovacs seemed determined to give the Croatian a yellow card.
Muhar had already received a warning in the 52nd minute, and another “yellow” would have recorded the elimination, but the “central” stopped at the last moment and gave up the card, to the displeasure of the U Cluj players. Cătălin Popa and Lucian Rusandu were then in the VAR room.
Szabolcs Kovacs, delegate to the derby between Craiova University and Dinamo
Despite the controversial phase in the Cluj derby, vehemently criticized by the “red caps”, Szabolcs Kovacs, the younger brother of Istvan Kovacs, was delegated by CCA to lead the derby between Craiova University and Dinamo, according to fanatik.ro.
Szabolcs Kovacs. Photo: Cristi Preda (GSP)
Kovacs will have assistants Mihai Marica and Adrian Vornicu, and the reserve referee will be Andrei Moroiță. Cătălin Popa and Lucian Rusandu will be in the VAR room again.
After two consecutive victories in the Superliga with the same score, 1-0 against Rapid and FC Argeș, Universitatea Craiova became the leader in the championship again, with 4 stages before the end, having 3 points ahead of U Cluj.
On the other hand, thanks to the successes with U Cluj (2-1) and Rapid (3-1), Dinamo climbed to 4th place, with 34 points, being 3 behind CFR Cluj.
The direct matches in the regular season ended in a draw, 2-2 at “Ion Oblemenco” and 1-1 at the National Arena, and the Oltenians prevailed in the play-off round match, played away, score 1-0.
Also at the National Arena, the Romanian Cup semi-final clash took place, won by Olteni on penalty kicks with a score of 4-1, after 0-0 in regulation time and 1-1 after the two overtime periods.
Superliga play-off standings
