Udinese - Rennes: a Romanian referee

For their first game in Europa League’s group phase, the Stade Rennais will be refereed by a Romanian official, next Thursday at the Stadio Friuli of Udine.

M. Cristian Balaj will indeed be in charge. Aged 40, and a former football player himself, he has been refereeing in the Romanian first division since 2000. Renowned as a referee who likes to “let the teams play”, he has been an international since several years. Last year, he refereed two games in the Champions’ League’s group phase, the first between AC Milan and AJ Auxerre at San Siro, the second between FC Copenhagen and FC Barcelona.

He averages 4 yellow cards per game and a red card every three games.