The Romanian Football Federation have been forced to release a statement rejecting claims the play-off draw in the country’s cup competition had been fixed.
Fans highlighted footage from the cup draw on Tuesday, which had been shown live on television.
Gabriel Bodescu, the deputy secretary general of the Romanian Football Federation, was seen attempting to mix balls as he helped to conduct the draw.
The small bowl led to Bodescu being unable to stir the balls, leading to the official attempting to move them around with his hand.
One face shared footage on social media of Bodescu moving balls around, but always remaining in contact with a particular one.
Having moved the ball in the pile, the official then draw the ball and announced the top flight side Costanta would meet second tier opposition in Corvinul Hunedoara.
Romanian Football Federation official Gabriel Bodescu was seen moving a ball in an overcrowded bowl, left, with footage showing him place it underneath another, right
Bodescu was then seen lifting the same ball out of the bowl, prompting claims he had deliberately chosen it
One social media account declared the draw to be ‘rigged’, with other fans following suit with their concerns.
‘He thought that no one was looking at him at that moment,’ another wrote.
Others, however, noted the difficulty the official had in being able to stir the balls.
‘Well, I’m curious how he was supposed to stir in that little cup,’ one said.
‘To draw lots, the container must be much larger than its contents. Here, there’s not even a way to mix it without spilling it on the floor. Which doesn’t change the fact that the guy would be a lousy illusionist,’ claimed another.
With the clip receiving attention on social media and drawing headlines in Romania, the federation issuing a statement claiming the allegation was ‘unfounded’.
‘The Romanian Football Federation wishes to clarify the situation generated in social media and in the mass media following the draw for the matches in the Betano Romanian Cup Play-Off,’ a statement read.
‘The FRF admits that the size of the urn used for the draws was smaller than would have been ideal to ensure easier mixing of the balls.
‘However, this did not in any way affect the fairness of the process, as the mixing and drawing were carried out in compliance with the procedures, in front of representatives of some of the clubs participating in this phase and live on FRF TV, guaranteeing transparency and impartiality.
The Romanian Football Federation has rejected ‘unfounded suggestions’ the draw was manipulated, but acknowledged it had made the mistake of using bowls that were too small
‘The Romanian Football Federation categorically rejects any attempt to create the impression that there was any favouritism or arrangement in the draw, specifically the Corvinul Hunedoara – Farul Constanta match, and remains dedicated to the principles of integrity, transparency and fairness in the organisation of national competitions, standing firmly against any unfounded suggestion regarding manipulation.’
The draw was also defended by Dan Bobuțanu, the mayor of Hunedoara, who revealed the club would not be appealing for a redraw and blamed ‘clumsiness’ for the controversy.
‘The two who made the draw did not choose the bowls and balls themselves. No, they found themselves faced with a fait accompli,’ he told Gazeta Sporturilor.
‘We cannot accuse them of anything, that they somehow directed us to play with Farul, especially since everything was televised. There was no point in filing a complaint, in asking for the draw process to be resumed.
‘We are playing at home, where we are hosting a very good team and we hope that the public will come in large numbers to support the team, to play with a full house and to also make a financial profit, not just to qualify for the Cup groups.
‘Especially since after this incident I got more media coverage than usual.’