CFR Cluj Head into Alashkert Match amid Deepening Financial Crisis

Ahead of the Alashkert–CFR Cluj match, the main topic in the Romanian press is not the upcoming game but the club’s internal crisis, which continues to deepen rapidly.

The Romanian side is experiencing serious financial difficulties. The players arrived in Yerevan only the day before the match. The budget deficit is reportedly so significant that the club’s management even launched a special €1,000 package for supporters wishing to accompany the team to Armenia. Part of the money raised was expected to help cover the travel expenses.

Problems with salary payments have already led to an open dispute with several players. Two of the team’s leading figures, Karlo Muhar and Andrei Cordea, have consulted lawyers and intend to initiate the relevant legal proceedings.

Just hours before the match, CFR Cluj president Iuliu Mureșan resigned from his position. Shortly afterward, a public dispute broke out between Mureșan and club owner Nelu Varga, with the two sides exchanging accusations.

The club had previously been banned from registering new players. Due to its accumulated debts, the situation could even have resulted in CFR Cluj being excluded from European competitions.

The restriction was temporarily lifted on July 21, allowing the club to register four new players. However, the sanctions were soon reinstated, preventing CFR Cluj from registering new signings during the next three transfer windows.

The club’s management settled its debts to ten players or reached agreements with them, prompting UEFA to lift the restrictions. However, the club failed to settle its obligations to Mohamed Kamara, who has already joined Romanian side Rapid. As a result, the transfer registration ban was imposed once again.

During the pre-match press conference, CFR Cluj’s head coach chose not to comment on the club’s internal problems and instead focused on the sporting aspects of the upcoming match. Such an approach appears entirely natural and highlights the coach’s professionalism during a difficult period for the team.

Author: Derenik Khachatryan