The News from Romania: A Heavy Price for a Victory

It is a race to the bottom in our favorite league as yet another team has come up with a fun and unique way to reward its players for a win. Last week we reported about the financial strain being caused by Politehnica Iasi’s surprisingly strong start in the Romanian league. Politehnica Iasi officials are probably taking note of CFR Cluj’s unique money making scheme: fining its players after a victory.

CFR Cluj came away with a tough three points this weekend winning 3-1 on the always dangerous turf of Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy player-coach (yet another great way to save cash) Dorinel Munteanu. He was upset about his team conceding a goal in the waning seconds of the match.

“My players relaxed after 3-0 and we conceded a goal in the last minute,” Munteanu said on Monday. “I fined them 100 euros ($127.4) each for their lack of concentration.”

Sure brilliance! That’s over one thousand bucks for the club and close to $2,000 if the bench players, assistant coaches and water boys were also fined for their lack of concentration.

Yes, in a financially strapped league it is this type of pioneering idea that might just lead to peace and prosperity.

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Category: Romania