| Cristian Balaj | |
| Fullname: | Pavel Cristian Balaj |
| Birth Date: | 17 August 1971 |
| Birth Place: | Baia Mare, Romania |
| Otheroccupation: | Company manager |
| Years1: | 1994–2016 |
| Years2: | 2000–2016 |
| League1: | Romania |
| League2: | Liga I |
| Role1: | Referee |
| Role2: | Referee |
| Internationalyears1: | 2003–2016 |
| Confederation1: | FIFA listed |
| Internationalrole1: | Referee |
Pavel Cristian Balaj (born 17 August 1971 in Baia Mare, Maramureș County, Romania) is a Romanian former football player and retired referee, currently president of Liga I club CFR Cluj.
On 18 January 2019, Balaj was elected Romanian Anti-Doping Agency President.[1] Subsequently, on 4 November 2021, Balaj signed with Liga I 4 times champion club CFR Cluj as their new president, after the departure of Marian Copilu earlier in 2021.[2]
As a player, Balaj represented FC Baia Mare and Pécsi Mecsek FC. He became a referee in 1994, entered Romania's Liga I in 2000, and earned FIFA certification in 2003.[3]
At international level, Balaj has served as a referee in qualifying rounds for Euro 2008[4] and Euro 2012,[5] as well as 2010[6] and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.[7]