Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Sunday, 26 April 2026, 09:14 / Updated on Sunday, 26 April 2026 09:14
Emil Boc, the mayor of Cluj, reacted on the Facebook page, at midnight, shortly after the municipal team, the one he supports, Cluj University, lost the city derby, in Gruia, score 0-1, in the 6th stage of the Superleague play-off.
Despite the result, Boc showed its support against the formation prepared by Cristiano Bergodi, which reached two consecutive failures. In the end, however, he kept “stabbing” the central referee of the match, Szabolcs Kovacs, who decided, after a controversial moment, not to eliminate Karlo Muhar and keep the numerical balance until the end.
In the 77th minute, the CFR player intervened by sliding on Dan Nistor, and Kovacs seemed determined to award the yellow card. In the context in which the CFR midfielder had already been warned in the 52nd minute, the sanction would have meant elimination.
However, the decision did not come. “Central” stopped at the last moment and gave up taking out the card, to the total displeasure of the Cluj University players.
Emil Boc mocked Szabolcs Kovacs after the match
A big supporter of Cluj University, mayor Emil Boc reacted on Facebook after the match, subtly recalling the phase in which Muhar escaped elimination.
Come on U! And in good times, and in bad times! Congratulations, CFR Cluj and good luck to get a place in the European cups! Come on U! Guys, we are proud and with you! As the people say: “after bad weather comes good weather!”
See you again in Cluj Arena, then in Sibiu and ….in a European cup! Admiration and respect for the incomparable Cluj University Gallery! With you by our side, wherever “we are at home”! Come on U!
PS: a message for the match referee, Mr. Szabolcs Kovacs (brother of the great international referee, Istvan Kovacs): People also say: “a good name is more precious than any wealth”
Where did you forget the second yellow card for Muhar? We recommend a complex of B vitamins, it helps memory!
– Emil Boc, the mayor of Cluj-Napoca
The reaction from the U Cluj camp
In Muhar, the phase is strange. Kovacs puts his hand in his pocket and the VAR people tell him not to give, I mean, I know that this is not why the VAR intervenes, I don't understand. How is this possible? He sat and thought he was giving him the second yellow and he didn't give it again.
I think he was told from the headset, I don't think he thought “Wait, I'll give the second one”. I didn't talk to Alex (No. Chipciu) if anything was explained to him, but maybe he knows more. It's a result that hurts us, especially the fans.
– Iulian Cristea, U Cluj player
Play-off standings
