Pavel Badea calls Reghecampf disciplinary decision normal after debt payment

Pavel Badea stated that the Disciplinary Commission's decision was normal because the debt had been paid. The disciplinary sanction that had applied to Reghecampf since January 31, 2024, was lifted upon the settlement of the financial obligation.

The FRF Disciplinary Commission ruled in favor of Laurențiu Reghecampf on Wednesday evening, exempting him from exclusion from football. The commission also rejected a request from Universitatea Craiova for further penalties regarding the dispute.

The decision followed the payment of an outstanding debt owed by Reghecampf to Universitatea Craiova. FCSB assumed responsibility for the debt and paid the amount to the club, which led to the closure of the case.

Reghecampf originally owed 150,000 euros plus 17,000 euros in penalties to Universitatea Craiova. This debt stemmed from a unilateral termination clause when he left the club in autumn 2023 to join Al-Tai in Saudi Arabia.

The initial value of the contract termination clause was 200,000 euros. Reghecampf had previously paid 50,000 euros, leaving a remaining balance of 150,000 euros. Reports indicate that Gigi Becali paid this 150,000 euro sum to Universitatea Craiova on September 25.

A previous decision issued on February 1, 2024, required Reghecampf to pay the debt by February 1, 2026, to avoid exclusion from football. The FRF had issued a final decision on the dispute in March 2024 after Universitatea Craiova filed complaints.

Universitatea Craiova had requested 17,000 euros in damages for the delayed payment. However, this claim was not analyzed in the recent ruling. The club continues to seek this additional amount as interest, which remains under discussion.

Reghecampf received a dispensation to coach FCSB against Oțelul Galați, which marked his first match since returning. The resolution of the debt issue allowed him to continue his duties without the threat of suspension.

The situation drew comparisons to former PSG coach Luis Fernandez, who was suspended by FIFA in February 2011 due to an unpaid debt to Al-Rayyan. Fernandez had unilaterally terminated his contract, and a 2009 decision ordered him to pay compensation by a specific date, which he missed.

Fernandez's suspension was lifted in March 2011 after he finally paid the debt to Al-Rayyan. This precedent highlighted the potential consequences for coaches who fail to meet financial obligations arising from contract terminations.