FIFA allow Popescu move to stand

FIFA have allowed Romanian international captain Gheorghe Popescu's transfer to Hannover 96 to stand, reversing an earlier decision to block the move.

Teething problems
The 35-year-old signed for the 1. Bundesliga club at the end of January following his departure from FC Dinamo Bucuresti but after consultation with FIFA, the German Football Association (DFB) claimed the deal would contravene a rule preventing players from making two moves in a 12-month period.

Null and void
The world football governing body, however, have now turned the tables after the players agent, Ioan Becali, produced documents proving that Popescu’s contract with Dinamo has been null and void since last November.

Wages disagreement
Popescu fell out with the club about a disagreement over wages and was struck off the pay roll, which meant he was a free agent and within his rights to sign for another team.

Retirement imminent
Had FIFA decided to uphold their original decision, Popescu is understood to have been ready to retire. With his future clarified, the veteran now aims to break Gheorghe Hagi’s all-time Romanian national team appearance record, which stands at 125 matches.

114 caps
Popescu, who played in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, has collected 114 caps for his country. In a career spanning 17 years he has played in seven countries, having represented FC Universitatea Craiova, FC Steaua Bucuresti and FC Dinamo Bucuresti in his homeland, plus PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham Hotspur FC, FC Barcelona, Galatasaray SK and US Lecce.