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THERE was a bizarre incident in the Romanian Cup semi-final with the referee accidentally spraying vanishing foam directly in a player's face.

During the clash between Gaz Metan and Hermannstadt, Istvan Kovacs blew for a free-kick in favour of the hosts following a routine foul by Inout Stoica.

 Inout Stoica is pulled up for a foul during Romanian Cup final
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Inout Stoica is pulled up for a foul during Romanian Cup final
 Referee Istvan Kovacs marches over after blowing for a free-kick
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Referee Istvan Kovacs marches over after blowing for a free-kick

The centre-back appeared shocked at the decision and was preparing to protest as the referee was marching over to mark the spot with the vanishing spray.

However, Kovacs decided to test the can at that very moment Stoica was approaching.

And the defender received a face-full of foam — thereby preventing him from making his case.

It almost appeared to be an innovative way to ward off any protests and it took Kovacs a couple of seconds to realise what had actually happened.

 Inexplicably, the referee sprays the vanishing foam in Inout Stoica's face
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Inexplicably, the referee sprays the vanishing foam in Inout Stoica's face
 Referee Istvan Kovacs apologises to Inout Stoica after vanishing spray accident
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Referee Istvan Kovacs apologises to Inout Stoica after vanishing spray accident

He then immediately apologised to the Hermannstadt defender — and both men saw the funny side of it.

This was the second leg of the Romanian Cup semi-final and Stoica will have left the pitch celebrating regardless as he looks forward to the final following his side's triumph away from home.

Hermannstadt won 3-2 on the night which, added to their 1-0 win in the first leg, gives them a 4-2 aggregate victory.

The will face the winners of the other semi-final clash between Botosani and Universitatea Craiova.

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