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Health scare for Rotariu

Romania's assistant coach Iosif Rotariu needs brain surgery after collapsing while playing football.

Doctors concerned
Doctors diagnosed a brain haemorrhage after the 40-year-old was taken to hospital on Saturday night complaining of feeling tired and dizzy. A kick to the head, sustained at some point in the past, may have caused the problem. "It's not cancer, but he needs an operation," a hospital statement said.

Words of support
It is not known if Rotariu, who is No2 to Anghel Iordanescu, will be back in time for Romania's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Denmark on 29 March. Iordanescu has already contacted his colleague to wish him a speedy recovery.

Distinguished career
Rotariu earned 25 caps during his playing career and represented Romania at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He played 264 games in the Romanian first division for FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara and FC Steaua Bucuresti as well as spending time in Turkey with Galatasaray SK and Bakirkoyspor.

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