CFR Cluj have been deducted 24 points by the Romanian Football League because of their inability to deal with spiralling debts, according to TheGuardian.com.The Railwaymen, one of Romania’s most successful clubs in the last decade, have fallen on hard times and owe nearly €20m (£15m) to the state, former players and coaches. Last November, current players threatened to boycott a league game because of unpaid wages and bonuses.
Cluj won three league titles, three national cups and two Supercups between 2008 and 2012. They also played in the Champions League group stage three times, and beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2012.
The decision means the club drops from second in the 18-team Romanian league to bottom with 10 points, a point behind Rapid Bucharest.
Cluj’s lawyer said they will appeal against the sanction, adding that the club have filed for insolvency. Another six Romanian clubs, including Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid, also filed for insolvency in the past two years.
Many Romanian clubs face considerable infrastructure difficulties and are struggling to meet administrative, legal and financial conditions laid down by Uefa.
