A historic moment in Romanian football arrived at the “Arcul de Triumf” stadium on Saturday, as Dinamo took on Universitatea Craiova in the second round of the Superliga. The match marked the first time that beer was sold on a stadium in a Romanian derby, a long-awaited move that was made possible by the recent relaxation of laws on beer consumption. However, the excitement was short-lived, as a fan of the home team crossed the line and threw a plastic cup at a player from the opposing team, Anzor Mekvabisvili, as he prepared to take a corner.
Beer Sales Bring Chaos to Romanian Stadiums
The incident occurred in the 23rd minute of the match, when Mekvabisvili, a Georgian player from the Dinamo team, went to take a corner from the right side of the field. It was then that a fan from the Dinamo side threw a full plastic cup at him, hitting him directly from the stands. The incident was caught on camera by a TV crew, showing the exact moment when Mekvabisvili was hit by the cup, which then bounced back a few meters away.
Consequences of the Incident
The fan responsible for the incident was quickly identified and punished for his actions. He was fined 500 lei (approximately €110) and banned from attending football matches for a year. This was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Bucharest Jandarmerie, who stated that the fan was identified and punished for his actions. The incident was not an isolated one, as the Jandarmerie reported that 14 contraventional fines were issued during the match, totaling 18,450 lei. Additionally, six complementary sanctions were issued, including bans on attending football matches for a period of six months to a year.
The sale of beer at Romanian football stadiums has been a long-awaited move, with fans being able to purchase beer at a relatively affordable price of 16 lei per 0.33-liter cup. In comparison, a cone of ice cream from the Dinamo team’s concession stand costs 17 lei. The introduction of beer sales is seen as a step forward for Romanian football, but it also raises concerns about fan behavior and the need for stricter measures to prevent incidents like the one that occurred on Saturday.
The Future of Beer Sales in Romanian Football
The incident on Saturday has raised questions about the future of beer sales in Romanian football stadiums. While the sale of beer is seen as a positive development, it also brings with it the potential for chaos and disorder. The authorities will need to take a closer look at fan behavior and put in place measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The success of beer sales will depend on the ability of the authorities to balance the needs of fans with the need to maintain order and safety in the stadium.
The fact that a fan was able to throw a plastic cup at a player during a match highlights the need for stricter measures to prevent hooliganism in Romanian football. The authorities will need to take a proactive approach to addressing this issue, rather than simply reacting to incidents as they occur. By doing so, they can help to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for fans, while also promoting a positive image of Romanian football.
The incident on Saturday serves as a reminder that the sale of beer in Romanian football stadiums is a double-edged sword. While it brings with it the potential for increased revenue and a more enjoyable experience for fans, it also raises concerns about fan behavior and the need for stricter measures to prevent incidents like the one that occurred on Saturday.
Incident like this one will only serve to damage the reputation of Romanian football, and it is up to the authorities to take a proactive approach to addressing the issue. By doing so, they can help to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for fans, while also promoting a positive image of Romanian football.