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Dinamo fans abuse Chipciu after victory over U Cluj
Dinamo Bucharest fans directed insults at Alexandru Chipciu after the 2-1 win over Universitatea Cluj, while U Cluj coach Cristiano Bergodi was sent off following a clash with supporters.
By Eleanor Ellington · 3 min read
Dinamo Bucharest secured a 2-1 victory over Universitatea Cluj, but the match at the Arcul de Triumf stadium ended in ugly scenes as home fans directed insults at veteran midfielder Alexandru Chipciu. The 37-year-old was subjected to abusive chants as he made his way towards the tunnel after the final whistle, with footage showing the incident that marred the SuperLiga clash.
The tension was not confined to the stands. Universitatea Cluj coach Cristiano Bergodi became embroiled in a heated confrontation with Dinamo supporters seated in the first stand, directly above his technical area. According to reports from the ground, the Italian coach was insulted by spectators and responded in kind in his native language. Bergodi had to be physically restrained by security staff before referee Rareș Vidican showed him a red card. During the altercation, Dinamo fans threw a water bottle and several coins towards the coach and the match officials.
As Bergodi headed for the dressing room, he was jeered by fans positioned above the tunnel. The episode echoes a more serious incident involving the 61-year-old in February, when he was involved in a heated dispute with Andrei Cordea during the derby between CFR Cluj and U Cluj at the Gruia stadium. On that occasion, Bergodi received a significant suspension from the disciplinary committee. Notably, Rareș Vidican was also the referee for that match.
Following the February incident, Bergodi issued a public statement accepting the sanction. He said: „It is a correct decision of the Disciplinary Committee, which I will respect! It was just a football match and nothing more. Everything has passed! I respect Romania, I feel Romanian, I have hundreds of friends here and I do not want to leave a different impression. I thank all those who sent me messages and I thank the members of the Committee for understanding what really happened. I repeat: it is a correct decision and I will respect it.”
The victory lifts Dinamo in the early stages of the SuperLiga season, with the club aiming to build momentum after a difficult period. The win over U Cluj, secured in the sixth round, provides a boost for the Bucharest side, though the unsavoury incidents involving Chipciu and Bergodi are likely to draw attention from the league’s disciplinary bodies.
Separately, former coach Ionuț Chirilă was spotted in the stands at the Arcul de Triumf, dressed casually for a summer evening. Chirilă, who has previously expressed frustration at not being given the opportunity to manage Dinamo despite developing several players who became club legends, watched the match. He recently guided CS Dinamo, a second-division side made up of young players, to a surprise 2-1 away win against Chindia Târgoviște, a result he attributed to his team’s improving fitness and tactical cohesion.
