Becali takes charge of Steaua

Gigi Becali has been elected the major shareholder of the newly created SC Steaua SA, which controls Romanian club FC Steaua Bucuresti.

Starting capital
The new share company has a starting capital of €920,000, with the 45-year-old Becali holding 51 per cent of the shares. "It's normal that, if I come with the money, that I should decide everything," said Becali, who has been the main investor in the club for the past three years. Of the 77 associates who voted in the general meeting, 72 voted for Becali.

'Man of honour'
"I wasn't the winner - Steaua won," Becali continued. "I am a man of honour and that's why I'll invest all that is necessary. Now, all the burden will fall on my shoulders and, if there are financial problems, I can guarantee that there will not be any debts and financial problems. Now, that I am the main shareholder, I am free to fulfil my dream - to gain access to the UEFA Champions League group stages. To achieve this goal I will invest all the money I can."

Further shares
A further 36 per cent of the new company is owned by AFC Steaua Bucuresti, a non-profit organisation created several years ago which is run by the club's former executive president, Viorel Paunescu, who himself owns six per cent of the shares in the new company. A further four cent and three per cent respectively are owned by the team's coach, Victor Piturca, and Becali's nephew, Lucian.

Heroes of 1986 rewarded
Becali has announced that he will pay a monthly allowance of €165 to all the members of Steaua’s 1986 European Champion Clubs' Cup-winning side for the rest of their lives. "I just want to do a act of justice, which hasn't been done by the state," Becali said. "It is the best performance achieved by a Romanian club and these men, even if they are rich already, deserve to be recognised."