Great referee Nicolae Rainea has left the football field for ever at 81

The former referee Nicolae Rainea has passed away at 81 years of age, the Romanian Football Federation and the Referees Central Commission announced on Wednesday.

Foto: (c) Silviu MATEI / Arhiva AGERPRES

Rainea was born on November 19 1933, in Braila, where he started his career as a football-player for Laminorul Braila. He pursued with Metalul Piatra Neamt and Constructorul Barlad.

In 1959, he became a referee, and in three years he was promoted to the divisional group. He made his debut in the first league in 1965 and after two seasons, he received the FIFA badge.

The most successful Romanian referee has conducted 400 games in the first league, has refereed 115 international games, and has participated in three World Championship editions. After retiring from refereeing, in 1984 he was an observer and then chairman of the Galati County Football Association, where he received the honorary president position from.

Likewise, Nicolae Rainea was an honorary president of the Referees Central Commission.
Prime minister Victor Ponta has sent a condolence message to Nicolae Rainea's family on Wednesday, in which he emphasizes that Rainea was one of the best referees in the sport history, and also a man who has fought for Romania.AGERPRES