About Novak Martinovic Novak Martinović (Serbian Cyrillic: Hoвaк Mapтинoвић ; born 31 January 1985, SFR Yugoslavia) is a Serbian footballer who plays for FC Steaua Bucureşti Romania, as a right defender and sometimes as a centre back. He had an upsurge in popularity in Romania, after an incident in a match against FC Petrolul Ploiești, when, seconds before a disputed penalty kick was to be taken, a Petrolul fan entered the pitch and punched Steaua teammate George Galamaz. Martinović reacted by tackling the attacker knees-first and brutally kicking him, thus receiving a red card. Although he hit the pitch intruder, he was praised for his actions by the media, football fans all over Romania, Steaua fans, Steaua former player and manager Marius Lăcătuș and female tennis player Sorana Cîrstea.