Sebastian Coltescu sparked controversy yesterday at PSG and Basaksehir. The Romanian was the protagonist of an episode of racism that forced the game to stop and marked a night of football that will already be historic. But who is Coltescu? Have you already been through similar situations? What is your story?
The truth is that his career, which took off in 1996, is one of ups and downs. Born in Cariova, the 43-year-old Romanian referee made it to the 4-star category in 2006. He was relegated by FIFA, but in 2007 he was demoted to the Romanian Second Division after controversial performances. Until 2008 he did not return to the elite, which is where he is currently in his country.
It is said that, since that episode in which he starred in 2007, Coltescu has gone through delicate moments. Jaime Sandoval from La Octava Sports has referred to it on social networks: "There were two suicide attempts by Coltescu due to what happened previously and due to relationship problems," he declares, referring to the mentioned date.
As main referee, he had only managed Siroki Brijeg-Kairat Almaty in the first round of the Europa League this season in Europe. He also whistled for Atlético-Galatasaray in the Youth League and directed the Champions League match between Shakhtar and Real Madrid as fourth official.
In Romania there was a controversial episode two weeks ago in the match between Gaz Metan Medias and FCSB. The cause of everything: controversial decisions. The same ones that have led him to be criticized on several occasions by the union.
"Coltescu's entire career is full of dark moments. He may have talent, but he can dedicate himself to something else, to music or dance. In refereeing he must be impartial", are the harsh words that Adrian Porumboiu, Romanian ex-referee and compatriot of his, dedicated him after that meeting in a statement that did not exactly end like that. "Human errors are allowed to a referee, but they have not been for years. There is no match in which he does not intervene directly in the final result," Porumboiu said.
On another occasion it was Gigi Becali who tactlessly attacked his way of refereeing: "I think Coltescu should be removed! I referee better than him! He has made some important mistakes since the beginning of the championship. The referees corrupt no longer exist in Romania, they are just bad".
A curious history
Two of Coltescu's most famous chapters occurred in 2013 and 2015. In the first of them, he opened the great debate in a match between Petrolul and Gaz Metan that he finished with seven expulsions and 13 yellow cards. One of the players who saw the red one confronted him in such a way that Coltescut himself had to grab him by the neck to defend himself. The one in 2015, on the other hand, was in a match between Astra and Steaua that ended with three goals disallowed for Steaua. The players complained that, in addition, he forgave the expulsion of an Astra striker, who committed an attack for which he only saw a yellow card.
Strong criticism...
Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, did not hesitate to comment on what happened in yesterday's match: "I strongly condemn the racist comment directed at Pierre Webo and I believe that UEFA should take immediate action. We are not indifferent to racism and discrimination in sport and in life in general!"
In Romania, former referee Ion Craciunescu believes that everything that happened yesterday will negatively affect the country: "Romanian arbitration lost enormously through these incompetent management, who could not put Balaj or Tudor as president after they were They will retire. We are in free fall, and what happened tonight will be a difficult slab to lift for the Romanian arbitration".
...And a few 'defenses'
Cristian Balaj, the most prestigious Romanian referee in FIFA and current president of the Romanian Anti-Doping Agency, offered a slightly different opinion: "If Coltescu directed and used racist words to the player who felt hurt, then it is not acceptable.If you had a discussion with Hategan, internal, where the pejorative meaning should not be interpreted, but to identify someone and not offend, then things , although they are sensitive, they are different".
Balaj defended the refereeing quartet, but with nuances: "I know them very well, they have never offended anyone, not because of the color of their skin, nor because of religion or whatever. They are very respectful of all the players. It is true, however, that it was a situation that could have been avoided and it will be an example for other referees."
On the other hand, Emanuel Rosu, a Romanian journalist, reflects on Twitter putting himself in the shoes of the fourth official: "First of all, please take into account the fact that Coltescu, the fourth official, is a fragile and emotional person who tried to take his own life 12 years ago. It was an important case in Romania at the time," he says.
Yesterday was going to be Sebastian Coltescu's last game in the Champions League. A meeting that, without a doubt, generated and will continue to generate debate due to the repercussion and importance of the events.