Ion Crăciunescu

{{Infobox football official

| name = Ion Crăciunescu

| image = Ion craciunescu.jpg

| caption = Crăciunescu in 2010

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|09|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = Craiova, Romania

| death_date =

| death_place =

| otheroccupation = Footballer

| role1 = Referee

| years1 = 1981–1996

| league1 = Liga I

| confederation1 = FIFA-listed

| internationalrole1 = Referee

| internationalyears1 = 1984–1996

}}

Ion Crăciunescu (born 27 September 1950) is a Romanian former football referee and player. Born in Craiova, he comes from the town of Râmnicu Vâlcea. Crăciunescu was a footballer at Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea and Universitatea Craiova until he retired in 1975, choosing to start a new career as a referee.{{cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/news/sport/interviu-ion-craciunescu-fost-arbitru-international-m-am-facut-arbitru-razbun-1_560fbcd6f5eaafab2c45748a/index.html|title=INTERVIU Ion Crăciunescu, fost arbitru internaţional: "M-am făcut arbitru ca să mă răzbun"|date=3 October 2015 |publisher=adevarul.ro|language=ro |trans-title=INTERVIEW Ion Crăciunescu, former international referee: "I became a referee to get revenge"|access-date= 9 November 2017}} He became an international referee in 1984. Although he never refereed at a World Cup or European Championship finals, he was selected as one of five referees for the 1995 King Fahd Cup (later known as the FIFA Confederations Cup). He is best known for officiating the 1995 UEFA Champions League Final between Ajax and Milan. He retired as a professional later that year. From 2003 to 2005, he was the president of the Romanian Referees Committee. His son, Theodor Crăciunescu was also a football referee.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.ro/liga-1/retragere-surprinzatoare-din-arbitrajul-romanesc-motivul-pentru-care-teo-craciunescu-a-renuntat-la-cariera.html|title=Retragere surprinzatoare din arbitrajul romanesc. Motivul pentru care Teo Craciunescu a renuntat la cariera|publisher=prosport.ro|language=ro |trans-title=Surprising retreat from Romanian arbitration. The reason Teo Craciunescu quit his career|access-date= 28 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/aschia-nu-sare-departe-de-trunchi-top-10-perechi-tata-fiu-care-au-scris-istorie-pentru-fotbalul-romanesc-6443565|title=Aşchia nu sare departe de trunchi! TOP 10 perechi tată-fiu care au scris istorie pentru fotbalul românesc|date=24 June 2010 |publisher=prosport.ro|language=ro |trans-title=The splinter does not fall far from the tree! TOP 10 father-son pairs who have written history for Romanian football|access-date= 28 October 2017}}