FCSB IS NOT STEAUA: Romanian Justice Final Verdict

The Romanian Supreme Court has delivered a definitive verdict in the protracted legal battle over the football legacy of Steaua București, ruling that the club’s historic honours remain with CSA Steaua. FCSB, the club owned by Gigi Becali, has now exhausted all legal avenues, bringing an end to one of Romanian football’s most contentious and personality-driven disputes.

Origins of the Trial: A Club Divided

The roots of this legal saga trace back to the late 1990s, when the football section of CSA Steaua separated and became AFC Steaua București, a non-profit led by Viorel Păunescu. Mounting financial troubles soon saw businessman Gigi Becali take control. In 2003, Becali transformed the club into a joint-stock company, but crucially, the original army club—CSA Steaua—never transferred the rights to the Steaua name, logo, or history. Despite this, Becali’s club continued to use the Steaua brand, setting the stage for a bitter legal confrontation.

In 2011, CSA Steaua initiated legal proceedings, accusing Becali’s club of illegally using the Steaua identity. After years of conflicting court decisions, a landmark 2014 ruling stripped FCSB of the right to use the Steaua name, colours, and logo. FCSB was forced to rebrand and relinquish its claim to Steaua’s illustrious past.

The Battle of Egos: Gigi Becali vs. Florin Talpan

The courtroom drama has been fueled not just by legal arguments but by the strong personalities at its centre. Gigi Becali, FCSB’s flamboyant owner, has repeatedly insisted that his club is the true heir to Steaua’s footballing legacy, famously declaring, “I was born and raised with the name Steaua. I continued the activity, and I can call myself ‘Steaua’ as long as I want.” Becali’s public statements have emphasised his identification with the club’s history and his determination to reclaim the brand and records, often dismissing the legitimacy of CSA Steaua’s claims.

On the other side stands Florin Talpan, the resolute legal counsel of CSA Steaua, the Army’s Football Club. Talpan has become a public figure in his own right, celebrated by Steaua’s supporters for his relentless pursuit of justice in the courts. He has described the legal campaign as a years-long struggle marked by sleepless nights, pressure, and even personal harassment. Talpan’s unwavering stance is encapsulated in his repeated assertions that “FCSB is not Steaua and will never be Steaua,” and his calls for national and European football authorities to formally recognise CSA Steaua as the sole inheritor of the club’s history.

The conflict between Becali and Talpan has often spilled into the public arena, with accusations, media appearances, and even bizarre claims—such as Talpan alleging that Becali tried to attack him “through telepathy”—underscoring the personal animosity that has defined the dispute.

Final Ruling: CSA Steaua’s Legacy Secured

The Supreme Court’s final decision confirms that the palmares—Steaua’s record of titles and achievements from 1947 to 1998—remains exclusively with CSA Steaua. FCSB, despite its continued presence in Romania’s top league, has no legal claim to the historic honours, closing the door on further appeals.

This verdict not only secures CSA Steaua’s place in Romanian football history but also marks the end of an era defined as much by legal manoeuvring and personal rivalry as by events on the pitch. The story of Steaua’s divided legacy stands as a cautionary tale about the intersection of sports, law, and ego in the modern game.