By Jaroslaw Adamowski
April 7 – Romanian billionaire Ioan Niculae (pictured), who owns top flight club Astra Giurgiu, has been sentenced to two years and six months in jail for his participation in the illegal financing of the presidential campaign of Mircea Geoana who ran for Romania’s top office in 2009. Niculae cannot appeal the decision.
In addition to the Giurgiu-based side, Niculae owns assets in a number of business sectors including include chemicals, meat processing, tobacco, and agriculture.
Local broadcaster Romania TV reports that the latest development is likely to cause financial difficulty for the club which spends about €800,000 per month on salaries. In the 2014/2015 season, Astra currently lies fourth out of the 18 teams in Liga I, the country’s top tier.
Niculae, who took over the club in 1996, will become another owner of a top Romanian side to serve time in prison, alongside George “Gigi” Becali, the controversial owner of Steaua Bucharest.
Astra’s major achievements include winning the Cup and Super Cup of Romania in 2014. The side’s Marin Anastasovici stadium has a capacity of some 8,500. Giurgiu is located in Romania’s southern part.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734952774labto1734952774ofdlr1734952774owedi1734952774sni@i1734952774kswom1734952774ada.w1734952774alsor1734952774aj1734952774