Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1:31 p.m. / Updated Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1:31 p.m.
Kyros Vassaras, head of the CCA, made the decision that Marcel Bîrsan (44 years old) will referee the match between Craiova University and U Cluj, in stage number 9 of the Superliga play-off.
The game can be decisive in order to win the title, considering that the Oltenians need a victory to become champions. The match is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, from 20:30 at the “Ion Oblemenco” stadium.
Marcel Bîrsan referees the “final” of the championship, University of Craiova – U Cluj
4 days after the final of the Romanian Cup, won by Olteni after penalty kicks, the University of Craiova and U Cluj will meet again, this time in the domestic championship.
The match that can decide the champion of the 2025/26 Superliga season, will be led to the “center” by Marcel Bîrsan.
The decision to summon him comes just one step after an arbitration scandal took place. Marcel Bîrsan was the referee in the VAR room of the duel between CFR Cluj and Universitatea Craiova in stage number 8 of the play-off, which ended 0-0, which was influenced by a controversial refereeing phase.
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In the 51st minute of the duel in “Gruia”, during an attack by the Transylvanian team, Andrei Cordea shot, and the ball hit the Craiove defender Adrian Rus in the hand inside the box. The referee Istvan Kovacs waited for the analysis from the VAR room to award a possible penalty, but after about five minutes of checks, the VAR referee Marcel Bîrsan signaled an offside to Lorenzo Biliboc in the phase leading up to the goal.
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The decision provoked strong reactions, especially as offside was determined to be only 3 centimeters apart and TV replays were inconclusive.
The controversial phase in the CFR Cluj – Universitatea Craiova match, Istvan Kovacs was in the “center” and Marcel Bîrsan was in the VAR room
This season, Marcel Bîrsan refereed the University of Craiova 5 times (4 wins and a draw), and the University of Cluj 6 times (5 wins and a loss). One of these matches was the very first duel between the two teams this season, in the 3rd stage of the regular season, which ended with the victory of Olten with 2-1.
The University of Craiova matches that Marcel Bîrsan refereed this season:
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Craiova University – U Cluj 2-1, stage 3, victory
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University of Craiova – Farul Constanța 2-0, stage 9, victory
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University of Craiova – Rapid 2-2, stage 15, draw
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University of Craiova – FC Botoșani 2-0, stage 23, victory
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University of Craiova – CFR Cluj 2-0, stage 3 play-off, victory
The Cluj University matches that Marcel Bîrsan refereed this season:
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Craiova University – U Cluj 2-1, stage 3, defeat
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UTA Arad – U Cluj 0-2, stage 17, victory
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U Cluj – Farul Constanța 1-0, stage 21, victory
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U Cluj – FC Argeș 3-1, stage 25, victory
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U Cluj – Oțelul Galati 4-0, stage 29, victory
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FC Argeș – U Cluj 0-1, stage 2 play-off, victory
Play-off standings
