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Reason why FCSB are no longer Steaua Bucharest as they clash with Man Utd

Romanian giants FCSB are more famously known as former European Cup winners Steaua Bucharest but a bitter dispute has left them almost unrecognisable

FCSB players celebrate
FCSB take on Manchester United in the Europa League

Romania’s most famous side Steaua Bucharest are in the midst of a bitter dispute which has left the former European Cup winners almost unrecognisable ahead of their crucial Europa League clash against Manchester United on Thursday night.

Steaua were European champions in 1986, becoming the first club from Eastern Europe to achieve the feat. But their complicated communist past is the reason for them now being known as FCSB following a court ruling.


Founded in 1947 as an army club belonging to the Ministry of National Defence in the early days of Romania’s communist regime, Steaua won 21 league titles and 20 Romanian cups alongside their European crown, which they won against Barcelona.


But two teams both claim to be the rightful owner of Steaua’s history, which has been the case since 2017. Following legal action, the team playing in the top-flight as Steaua Bucharest were compelled to abandon the name and became FCSB.

Steaua Bucharest lift European Cup
Steaua were European Cup winners in 1986(Image: Getty Images)

They were forced to give up their claim to Steaua’s glittering history – a ruling they still dispute.

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In the same year, a Steaua Bucharest claiming authentic continuity with the famous old club began a new dawn in Romania’s fourth division.

That team is currently fighting for promotion into the top-flight and playing in a 2021-opened 31,000-seater stadium. Meanwhile, FCSB play in the former home of the club before the split – the 55,000-seater Arena Nationala.

Miroslav Klose of Bayern attacks as George Ogararu (L) and Sorin Ghionea of Bucharest defend
Steaua Bucharest were regular fixtures in the Champions League

Following the toppling of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989 and the collapse of the communist rule, clubs were asked to find independent ways to support their activities.

However, Steaua’s attempts to do so failed under new owners and the club faced the threat of bankruptcy.

That was until Romanian business, former politician and convict, George Becali appeared to have become the club’s new owner. But in 2017, a legal bombshell deemed the 2003 takeover invalid in the eyes of the law, meaning Becali’s club had no “ownership of the Steaua brand”.


George Becali
George Becali is at the centre of the legal battle of Steaua Bucharest

Therefore the team became FCSB, while the reformed Steaua Bucharest started life in the amateur divisions.

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Some fans chose to back Becali, claiming he was the victim of a personal vendetta. While others supported that Becali never had rightful ownership of Steaua and supported the reformed club.

The two clubs could well be on the same pitch next season in what would make for an incredible rivalry.

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