Hungary tightens financial controls

By Márton Dinnyés

Licences are again the big issue in Hungary this summer, with the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) strictly enforcing the regulations ahead of the new season.

Financial problems
Just as 12 months ago, some First and Second Division clubs are facing serious financial problems and their applications to join the league will come under close scrutiny from the MLSZ's licensing committee. Final decisions on the awarding of licences will be made in mid-July.

Debrecen test
Champions Debreceni VSC continued their preparations for the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie against HNK Hajduk Split by signing three players. Hungary Under-21 defender Péter Máté returns from Diósgyori BFC, Serbo-Montenegrin international left-back Dragan Vukmir joins from rivals Ferencvárosi TC, and Norbert Mészáros arrives after spending last season with German side FC Energie Cottbus. Romania forward Tibor Moldovan is on trial with the club.

Ferencváros trouble
Ferencváros, second last season, have run into financial trouble and have had to sell a number of players. In addition to losing Vukmir, club captain Péter Lipcsei has not signed a new contract and striker Thomas Sowunmi may also leave. Ferencváros have completed one piece of business, central defender Krisztián Dudovinszky captured from Budapest Honvéd FC, but the green and whites will rely heavily on youth next term.

Race for second
Ferencváros defeated Honvéd 1-0 on 26 May to clinch second spot and a place in the UEFA Cup. Debrecen had already secured the title, but the race for second provided an exciting climax to the season, with Ferencváros narrowly edging MTK Hungária FC, Újpesti TE and Györi ETO FC after each team won their final-day matches.

Györ signings
Györ have been the most successful First Division side in the transfer market. They have recruited striker Péter Bajzát from SC Rot-Weiss Oberhausen and are expected to agree terms with former international defender János Mátyus, currently at Austria's VfB Admira Wacker Mödling.

Intertoto campaigns
The season has already begun for two First Division teams - with mixed results. Vasas SC were knocked out in the first round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup by Slovakian club FK ZTS Dubnica, but Lombard Pápa TFC kept Hungarian interest alive by overcoming FC WIT Georgia. A 3-2 home defeat by IFK Göteborg in the first leg of their second-round tie on Saturday, however, has reduced their chances of reaching the third round.