Romanian government steps in

Romanian clubs FC Dinamo Bucuresti and FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt have had their punishments for alleged match-fixing overturned by the country's Ministry for Youth and Sports (MTS).

Points deduction
The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) ruled both clubs should be deducted three points and fined €4800, as well as suspending and fining three players, after finding that their game on 10 March, which Dinamo won 2-1, was rigged. However, both clubs appealed last week to the MTS, who stated the FRF acted improperly in handing out punishments without a proper hearing or right of appeal.

'The FRF has rushed'
Georgiu Gingaras, the Minister for Youth and Sports, said: "Under the pressure which existed it seems that the FRF has rushed and didn't respect the procedure in this case." However, the case appears far from over after a spokesman for the Surveillance Commission said last month: "Six players did not play at their real potential." 

Seven-point lead
Until the FRF reopens the case, Dinamo have had their Divizia A lead restored to seven points. Dinamo president Nicolae Badea said: "The decision is correct and it shows that our arguments should be listened to."

Monday meeting
But FRF general secretary Adalbert Kassai said: "I don't know if the MTS has the right to interfere in the FRF's decisions. On Monday there will be a meeting of our Judical Commission in order to see if the MTS really has this right." National team coach Anghel Iordanescu agreed that the MTS' decision "is not good for football".