Top UEFA referee Ovidiu Hategan suffered a heart attack over the weekend, according to reports, leading to him being rushed to hospital in Romania for surgery which saw him fitted with a stent. Hategan, 41, has officiated in international competitions for a number of years, and most notably took charge of Manchester United's draw at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 last month. However, he is said to have complained of severe chest pain yesterday, a worrying situation which led to him being operated on by doctors. He will now remain under medical supervision until the end of the week.
Gazeta Sporturilor have claimed that Hategan was at his home in Arad when he began to feel the discomfort, which is thought to have come on shortly after his daily physical training. Sources have told the publication that Hategan decided to take himself to hospital in the city for a consultation, only for him to be told by medical experts after a check-up that he had indeed suffered a heart attack. As a result, he was rushed to Timisoara, where his stent procedure took place. Hategan is said to have spoken to his family and staff, though, and is described by the outlet as being 'fine'. He is expected to make a full recovery. Special Arad have also reported on Hategan's plight, claiming that, as a doctor, he noticed his symptoms and took himself to hospital alone. There, after an EKG was carried out, he was told that he had a clogged vein. His medical emergency came just days after he acted as the fourth official for Wales' victory over Austria in World Cup qualifying, meanwhile. Hategan took charge of two matches at Euro 2020: Poland vs Slovakia and Italy vs Wales. Both games were group stage ties. The last match he refereed in Liga 1 was a clash between FC Arges and FCSB on 3 March, while his last international game came in Manchester United's 1-1 draw in Madrid. He has also been included on the extended officials' list for the World Cup. A total of 20 referees and 16 VARs have made the shortlist, with Hategan included among them. However, only 10 will remain for the tournament. Hategan was able to officiate for at least another four years at European level due to his age, and he would also be able to continue to referee in Romania as long as he passed the mandatory physical tests. Now, it remains to be seen if he will be able to officiate another match in the future. (Source: Daily Mail)
"I feel well now, everything is fine, and I am still under medical supervision. I would like to thank the medical staff who took care of me and all those who sent me messages and their good wishes. I need peace at this time, so I ask that my privacy be respected", said Hategan on the Romanian FA website. (Source: FRF)
