At the end of the match between CSM Slatina and Corona Brașov, which ended with a score of 33-40 in the National League, spirits heated up, and the coach of the Brașov formation, Bogdan Burcea, was eliminated and risks a suspension of at least two stages.
The match, played on Friday in Slatina, was largely controlled by the visiting team. Corona had the advantage on the table and prevailed without emotions, the difference being clear at the end.
The tension arose, however, in the last seconds
Just half a minute before the end, with a favorable score for his team, Burcea asked for a time-out. In handball, such a decision, taken when the result can no longer be changed, is often interpreted as a provocative gesture towards the opponent. The moment sparked discontent on Slatina’s bench, and the conflict escalated.
After the final whistle, the Brasov coach went to the hosts’ bench and grabbed technician Raul Fotonea’s arm, a gesture that earned him disqualification.
The regulation provides for a penalty of at least two stages
After the end of the time-out, when the game was about to resume, Slatina’s second coach, Raul Fotonea, sent Bogdan Burcea a warning message from a distance: “Bogdan, don’t forget, this will come back!”according to gsp.ro.
The two were a few meters apart, separated by the officials’ table. The replica did not go without a reaction. Feeling provoked, the Brașov technician left the technical area, bypassed the officials’ table and headed straight for the opposing bench. Arriving in front of Fotonea, he grabbed his arm and tried to continue the discussion.
At that point, the situation got out of hand
Several players and staff members intervened, forming a small group around the two coaches. To calm spirits, the referees decided to sanction Burcea with a red and blue card, which automatically means a suspension of at least two rounds, with the exact duration of the punishment to be determined later.
“I’m sorry for the gesture and I apologize to my colleague, Raul Fotonea. I also apologize to all my colleagues, coaches, because I pulled Raul’s arm!“said the coach of Corona Brașov, Bogdan Burcea, according to the previously cited source.
Raul Fotonea later clarified the incident and stated that he was neither cursed nor hit by Bogdan Burcea. According to him, he was grabbed by the arm because his back was turned, most likely in an attempt to continue the discussion that started from a distance.
CSM Slatina and Corona Brașov, with Europe in mind
The success achieved in Slatina took Corona to 26 points after 16 stages, consolidating its 3rd place in the standings, a season after finishing the championship in second position.
On the other hand, CSM Slatina occupies the 5th place, with 16 points, a position which, at this moment, would ensure its presence in the European cups.
The team prepared by Andrei Popescu and Raul Fotonea managed to surpass in the hierarchy teams with claims such as Rapid Bucharest, Dunărea Brăila, Minaur Baia Mare and SCM Craiova, clubs that at the start of the season aimed to qualify for the continental competitions.
