“The dirt under your nails is Romanian”: Anti-Hungarian slurs and scandalous circumstances at a match in Transylvania
Tense scenes, offensive chants, and police intervention marked FK Csíkszereda’s historic debut in Romania’s top football division. The Szeklerland-based club hosted Dinamo Bucharest on Monday night for its first-ever Superliga match—a game that proved memorable both on and off the field.
Offensive chants and fights erupt before kickoff
Before kickoff, approximately 150 Dinamo supporters arrived in Csíkszereda (Miercurea Ciuc), many travelling in small, uncoordinated groups in search of confrontation, according to Maszol.ro. One group clashed with locals outside a fast-food restaurant before marching to the stadium, chanting anti-Hungarian slogans. The entry process was rocky, as away fans attempted to use more tickets than legally permitted. The situation escalated into the first major scuffle at the guest sector entrance, forcing authorities to deploy tear gas to control aggressive ultras.
Goals, pyrotechnics, and provocative banner
By the time the Bucharest fans entered the stadium, FK Csíkszereda was already up 2–0. The second goal came from academy product Zoltán Efraim Bödő, reports Blikk. In retaliation, Dinamo supporters set off pyrotechnics and unveiled a provocative banner reading:
“Even the dirt under your fingernails belongs to Romania.”
One of the flares landed on the pitch, prompting immediate police action. Authorities removed the perpetrators, sparking a walkout by visiting fans who continued to wreak havoc on city streets.
The second half brought more disruption, with a 30-minute delay in the 62nd minute due to a power outage. Clashes continued outside the stadium during the break, where police spotted supporters armed with baseball bats.
Football amid political tensions
Following Sepsi OSK’s relegation, FK Csíkszereda is now the sole ethnically Hungarian-affiliated club in Romania’s top league. The team openly embraces its Hungarian identity, often playing the song “Nélküled” before matches, while fans chant “Hajrá, Szereda!” The club’s promotion sparked criticism on live TV over its exclusively Hungarian roster, and early signs suggest this season will be no stranger to controversy.
Csíkszereda holds its ground on the pitch
Despite the turmoil, the match ended in a 2–2 draw. Dinamo managed to erase a two-goal deficit, but head coach Róbert Ilyés’s squad proved itself a worthy opponent against last season’s fifth-place finishers.
More high-tension matches expected
Mayor Attila Korodi told Maszol that the season will likely feature several high-risk encounters, requiring heightened security measures. The small 2,500-seat stadium is ill-equipped for large visiting crowds, a factor likely to fuel further tensions.
FK Csíkszereda’s next match is scheduled for 21 July on the road against Unirea Slobozia. But questions now go beyond performance on the field: how will the only Hungarian-linked team in Romania’s top league navigate the political, ethnic, and security challenges ahead?
Read more football-related news on Daily News Hungary!
Read also:
- Romanian nationalist Simion calls Trianon a “moment of truth,” not a punishment for Hungary
- Hungarian nationalists rewrite Romania’s history on Wikipedia?
To read or share this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar