Oțelul Galați fined by FRF and risks point deduction over unpaid debts

Oțelul Galați was issued two separate fines totaling 6,000 lei by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) on November 4, 2026. The federation established a grace period requiring the club to present proof of payment for outstanding financial obligations by 15:00 on December 2, 2026. Failure to meet this deadline triggers regulatory provisions that permit additional sanctions, including a ban on transferring or registering players and the deduction of league points.

The disciplinary proceedings stem from binding decisions issued by the National Dispute Resolution Chamber on August 27 and September 10. These rulings obligated Oțelul Galați to settle unpaid financial rights owed to Radu Alexandru and Laszlo Balint. Despite these formal determinations, the club has not yet suffered any point deductions specifically related to these ongoing files.

Club president Cristi Munteanu publicly disputed the validity of the claims, stating he did not expect the matter to reach federal commissions. While acknowledging the obligation to pay if the commissions maintain their decision, Munteanu contested the existence of unpaid debts to the former coaching staff. A discrepancy exists between the official documentation and the club's public statements; FRF records specify penalties of 6,000 lei, whereas Munteanu referred to the amount as approximately 2,000 euros.

The financial dispute arises during a difficult period for Oțelul Galați in the Superliga. The team currently occupies 13th place in the standings, having accumulated only 12 points across the first 14 rounds of competition. Any future point deduction resulting from non-compliance with the December 2 deadline would further jeopardize their position in the league table.