Romanian Football Federation Denies Fixing of Cup Draw

The Romanian Football Federation has issued a statement dismissing allegations that the recent cup competition draw was manipulated. The controversy arose after footage circulated on social media showing official Gabriel Bodescu handling the balls during the live draw, raising suspicions among fans.

During the procedure, Bodescu was seen struggling to stir balls in a small bowl, then repeatedly touching a specific ball, which led some observers to suggest possible tampering. Footage showed him placing a ball underneath another and later lifting it from the bowl, prompting accusations of deliberate selection. Critics argued the process appeared inconsistent with standard practices for fairness.

One social media post labeled the draw as “rigged,” while others noted the official’s apparent difficulty in mixing the balls in such a small container. In response, the federation clarified that the size of the bowl was not ideal but insisted that all steps were conducted transparently and in accordance with regulations, with witnesses present and the process broadcast live.

An official statement emphasized that the federation strongly condemns any suggestion of favoritism, asserting that the integrity of the draw was maintained. The federation also acknowledged that using a smaller-than-ideal bowl may have impacted convenience but stressed this did not influence the fairness of the outcome.

Supporters of the club involved, including the mayor of Hunedoara, dismissed the controversy, attributing it to clumsiness rather than intentional manipulation. The mayor noted the draw process was televised and said there was no basis to request a re-draw. He expressed optimism about hosting a competitive match and highlighted that the incident increased media attention for the club.

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Official Gabriel Bodescu handling a ball during the draw process.

Bodescu lifting a ball from the bowl, fueling suspicion of deliberate selection.