Romanian football club Petrolul Ploiesti filed an insolvency request with the Prahova county court, on Wednesday, February 4.

Petrolul, which is currently third in Romania’s top football league (Liga I) might thus become the sixth important football club to enter insolvency. If the court approves its insolvency request, Petrolul will not be able to play in European competitions next season.

Petrolul Ploiesti has won four domestic league titles and three Romanian Cups, the last one in 2013. The team finished third in Liga I, in the last two seasons and played in the UEFA Europa League.

Five of Romania’s largest football clubs have entered insolvency so far. They are Dinamo Bucharest, Rapid Bucharest, CFR Cluj, Universitatea Cluj, and Otelul Galati. Four of these clubs have played in European competitions in recent years.

Otelul Galati won the Romanian Liga I in 2011 and reached the Champions’ League group stage in the 2011-2012 season, playing against Manchester United and Benfica Lisbon.

CFR Cluj won the Romanian championship three times, in 2008, 2010 and 2012, each time qualifying to the Champions’ League group stage.

Dinamo Bucharest has 18 domestic titles, and Rapid Bucharest has won the league four times.

With so many top clubs facing financial difficulties, Romanian football might have a hard time finding five teams to represent it in the next season of the European competitions. Steaua Bucharest, which has been dominating the local football in recent years, seems to have an open way to a new title and a new presence in the Champions’ League.

editor@romania-insider.com