RED TAPE WOE: Aberdeen’s Europa League Opponents in Chaos as FCSB Trio Held at Airport and Ruled Out of Play-Off at Pittodrie……..
Romanian giants FCSB were thrown into turmoil ahead of their crucial Europa League play-off at Pittodrie after three of their key players were stopped at Aberdeen Airport and barred from entering Scotland due to visa complications.
The drama unfolded just hours before kick-off when Risto Radunović, Siyabonga Ngezana, and Baba Alhassan were informed that they lacked the necessary paperwork to legally enter the UK. The trio, all non-EU nationals, were escorted back and forced to sit out the first-leg clash—leaving FCSB head coach Elias Charalambous with a drastically weakened squad.
The absence of the three internationals immediately sent shockwaves through the Romanian camp. Radunović, a defensive stalwart, Ngezana, the South African centre-back, and Alhassan, the Ghanaian midfielder, were all expected to play vital roles in the tie.
With their options suddenly limited, FCSB were forced to reshuffle their line-up on short notice. Club officials reportedly scrambled behind the scenes, appealing to UEFA and local authorities, but the red tape proved impossible to untangle in time.
The visa setback not only disrupted FCSB’s preparations but also handed Aberdeen a significant psychological advantage going into the first leg. For the Dons, who were already motivated by the prospect of a strong European run, the incident only added to the electric atmosphere at Pittodrie.
FCSB officials have since confirmed that the club is working urgently with UK authorities to resolve the matter ahead of the return leg in Bucharest. However, the incident has raised fresh concerns about logistical preparedness and oversight in European competitions, where international squads often face complex travel regulations.
As the drama played out, fans and pundits alike described the fiasco as “chaotic” and “unprecedented.” Whether FCSB can regroup from this off-field setback and turn the tie in their favour remains to be seen.
