Astra bought by oil barons
Thursday, October 3, 2002
Article summary
Romanian first division club Astra Ploiesti have been taken over by the state oil company Petrom.
Article body
Conflict of interests
The part state-owned company have bought a 47 per cent stake in Astra, at a cost of €12,4000, to add to their sponsorship deal with Ploiesti's other team, second division FC Petrolul. Petrom had been the latter club's majority shareholder until their relegation last season.
Rapid decision
Astra are currently second from bottom of Divizia A and talk is that the new owners could move to replace coach Marian Bondrea. Club director Petre Buduru said: "At least until Sunday's game against [FC] Rapid Bucuresti, we will work with Mr Bondrea."
Candidates for the post
Buduru and club president Florin Bercea have reportedly spoken to both Gheorghe Hagi's agent and former FC Dinamo Bucuresti captain Ioan Lupescu about the coach's job.
