Pavel Cristian Balaj (born 17 August 1971 in Baia Mare, Maramureș County, Romania) is a Romanian former football player and retired referee.
Full name | Pavel Cristian Balaj | ||
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Baia Mare, Romania | 17 August 1971||
Other occupation | Company manager | ||
Domestic | |||
Years | League | Role | |
1994–2016 | Romania | Referee | |
2000–2016 | Liga I | Referee | |
International | |||
Years | League | Role | |
2003–2016 | FIFA listed | Referee |
On 18 January 2019, Balaj was elected Romanian Anti-Doping Agency President.[1] Subsequently, on 4 November 2021, Balaj signed with Liga I 4 times champion club CFR Cluj as their new president, after the departure of Marian Copilu earlier in 2021.[2]
As a player, Balaj represented FC Baia Mare and Pécsi Mecsek FC. He became a referee in 1994, entered Romania's Liga I in 2000, and earned FIFA certification in 2003.[3]
At international level, Balaj has served as a referee in qualifying rounds for Euro 2008[4] and Euro 2012,[5] as well as 2010[6] and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.[7]