Xenophobia allegations spark football scandal in Romania

A football match between Sepsi and Dinamo in Romania has sparked a major controversy following reports of anti-Hungarian, xenophobic chants from away supporters. The incidents were severe enough to cause a brief two-minute stoppage in the 83rd minute as part of anti-discrimination protocols, though reports indicate the offensive shouting continued after play resumed.

Árpád Antal, the mayor of Sfântu Gheorghe, has filed official complaints with both the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) and UEFA. Antal stated that the lack of strict sanctions encourages such racist and xenophobic behavior and emphasized that the Hungarian community in Romania are Romanian citizens who deserve to feel safe in stadiums.

László Diószegi, the owner of Sepsi, expressed frustration over the situation, noting that the verbal abuse lasted for approximately 20 minutes and that he had urged his players to leave the pitch to draw international attention to the abuse. In response, Dinamo official Andrei Nicolescu claimed that home fans had provoked them by singing in the Hungarian language, a claim that local officials have dismissed as unacceptable and illogical.