Article by Alexandru Barbu, Daniel Grigore – Published Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 12:43 / Updated Wednesday, November 12, 2025 12:54
Justin Ștefan, the general secretary of the Professional Football League, explains what is being watched in the betting scandal, the players of the first division Metalloglobus being investigated under the accusation of betting on their own team's matches, which is prohibited by the regulations.
The case, in short:
- A few of his players Metaloglobus allegedly made accounts on betting sites through a staff member and would have bet including against their team. The Integrity Department of the FRF has already started an investigation regarding the Metaloglobus matches;
- A former staff member he made astonishing testimoniesclaiming that he had come to the team precisely to gather information to improve his chances of winning at bets!
What is the position of the LPF in this context?
“I know what it is about, I have seen the discussions in the media, but I do not have additional information. The procedure is before the competent body within the FRF and it is normal that the investigation is not public at this time.
We are interested and watching closely what is happening. The competition department spoke with those from Metaloglobus, but we did not receive any other information”, General Secretary Justin Ștefan told GSP Live.
LPF announces what is being watched in the Metaloglobus betting scandal
Asked if this case will be clarified internally, by the Romanian football forums, or if the situation will fall under the jurisdiction of civil justice bodies, Justin Ștefan wanted to differentiate between the possible conclusions:
“Let's say there is someone in the football world who is betting. That should stop at the level of disciplinary misconduct (no – punished with a fine and suspension).
Another would be the situation where there would be a larger organization, such as where I lose a match specifically because I gambled, or score or concede a number of goals because I gambled. A larger matter could be discussed there, which fall within the scope of criminal law.
But those from Metaloglobus also benefit from the presumption of innocence, until the moment when there will be a confirmation and a definitive decision from those called to pronounce.
Guilt must be proven and to the extent that it will be, the regulatory sanctions will be applied. I am also referring to the club, because they are two distinct situations. It has to be seen if there was an organized matter there or something accidental, if there were bigger things planned or if it was just a person who was gambling”.
What if we think there are more cases? Until it is supported by evidence, I find it hard to accept such a claim. I could say that there is a possibility that there are other cases, but I like to think that at worst they are isolated, accidental, and not based on a large organization.
– Justin Ștefan, general secretary LPF
What does the FRF regulation say?
The Disciplinary Regulation of the FRF, in article 60, which provides for corruption, sports betting and the integrity of competitions, says that:
5. The act of the person who participates directly or indirectly in betting or other similar activities regarding games in competitions organized under the auspices of FIFA/UEFA/FRF/LPF/AJF or who has a direct or indirect financial interest in such activities shall be sanctioned cumulatively with:
a. banning any activity related to football for 2 years;
b. sports penalty of 300,000 lei.6. In all cases, the judicial body will decide to confiscate the material or financial values involved in committing the offense. These values will be used for football development programs.
