FCU Craiova 1948 Slammed with Record 94-Point Deduction Ahead of Liga III Campaign

FCU Craiova 1948 Slammed with Record 94-Point Deduction Ahead of Liga III Campaign

Craiova, Romania — September 17, 2025

In a seismic blow to Romanian football, FCU Craiova 1948 has been handed a staggering 94-point deduction by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), marking the most severe disciplinary sanction in the country’s professional football history. The penalty will be enforced at the start of the 2025–26 Liga III season, effectively crippling the club’s chances of competitive survival.

Origins of the Sanction

The FRF’s decision follows a prolonged period of financial instability at FCU Craiova, with unresolved debts owed to:

• Former players and coaching staff
• Romanian rivals Dinamo București, stemming from a disputed Romanian Cup fixture

Despite multiple warnings and deadlines, the club failed to settle its obligations, prompting the FRF to act decisively.

Relegation and Fallout

Already reeling from relegation to Liga III after failing to secure a Liga II license, the club now faces an uphill battle to remain operational. The 94-point deficit not only erases any realistic promotion hopes but also raises existential questions about FCU Craiova’s future.

Historical Context

This penalty surpasses the previous Romanian record of –52 points, issued to Caransebeș in the 2015–16 season. It also ranks among the most severe point deductions in European football, rivaling sanctions seen in Italy’s Calciopoli scandal and England’s financial fair play breaches.

What’s Next?

Club officials have yet to issue a formal statement. Sources close to the FRF suggest further disciplinary measures could follow if debts remain unresolved. Meanwhile, fans and local stakeholders are left grappling with the implications of a once-promising club now teetering on the brink.