U Cluj protest

U Cluj protest. The Ultras on the first line. Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Universitatea Cluj, or U Cluj as it’s commonly called, is the oldest football club of Cluj-Napoca, Romania as it was founded in 1919, almost a century ago. Even if it’s not the most successful team in the city (the other team, CFR Cluj, has won a few times the national championship and has also participated in several European championships), U Cluj is considered as THE city’s football team and is revered by lots of people.

U Cluj protest. Supporters of any ages. Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Despite its local popularity, and sometimes devotions, the club has entered in a very difficult period with a lot of financial issues that put a risk on its future. May it be retrograded to a lower league… may it be shut down for good. On March 13th, 2016, was organised a protest on Cluj-Napoca main streets as a support for the club. It was also a cry for help to the local authorities to save their club, the city’s club.

U Cluj protest. Pride! Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

It was a pretty interesting experience to be thrown (against my will actually, I was just passing by when the mass of people from the demonstration appeared in front of me 🙂 ), in the middle of this protest. People from any situation, any age, any background were here to support their club, there was no difference anymore, from the hardened Ultras to small kids, all were before all U Cluj fans. Even supporters from other team were there to support their “stadium brothers” during those tougher times.

U Cluj protest. Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

A few weeks have passed, and it’s not clear yet what will happen to the club. New protests and demonstrations are supposed to happen in the next days, we’ll see how things are going to be for Cluj-Napoca’s favourite football club.