Romanian officials in u-turn

The Romanian Football Federation's (FRF) Executive Committee has overturned FC Dinamo Bucuresti and FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt's punishments for match-fixing after the Ministry for Youth and Sports (MTS) challenged the FRF's original decision.

Fined and points deducted
Dinamo, the league leaders, and Ceahlaul were both fined €4800 and deducted three points after the FRF decided that Dinamo's 2-1 victory on 10 March was a fix. However, they had not consulted their Disciplinary Commission and the MTS intervened, stating that the FRF acted improperly in handing out punishments without a proper hearing or right of appeal.

President speaks
"The FRF board decided to cancel the punishment against both teams, installed the result registered on the pitch and sent the case to the Disciplinary Commission to be re-analysed," FRF president Mircea Sandu said today. "We made a mistake and we don't want to make any more, only to respect the regulations which say that all such cases must first be analysed by the Disciplinary Commission, then, if necessary by the Appeal Commission and finally the Executive Committee."

Points gained
Both clubs have a right to appeal against whatever conclusion the Disciplinary Commission reaches. Following today's reversal, Dinamo remain top with 43 points, seven clear of second-placed FC Rapid Bucuresti. Ceahlaul climb to seventh, up one place.