Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published on Thursday, 18 December 2025, 23:34 / Updated on Thursday, 18 December 2025 23:36
Valeriu Iftime, patron of those from FC Botosanireacted after Gino Iorgulescu, the president of the Professional Football League, came up with the idea that only 12 teams remain in the Super League.
Despite the general trend that completely rejects the idea of a championship with 12 teams, Valeriu Iftime conveyed that the idea is an interesting one, especially from a financial perspective. The boss from FC Botoșani also pointed out that the agreement for TV rights should be renegotiated in this situation and came up with several options to maximize profit.
Valeriu Iftime reacted to Gino Iorgulescu's proposal: “He has life, bravo! I don't know where he gets these ideas”
Valeriu Iftime / Photo source: Facebook
“Mr. Iorgulescu has life, bravo! I don't know where these ideas come from. He wants to, but he's not the head of the club. He doesn't decide. The 16 people, the representatives of the clubs, decide. But it's interesting that this idea has a kernel of truth, related to the economic side.
There is less money in Romania, and with a tighter championship the clubs would get more money and we could increase the level of competition. The tighter the better. On the other hand, the number of matches will be less. They need to invent another competition to make more matches. But it's interesting. I read it too, I find it interesting.
But I saw it and I couldn't believe it. Mr. Iorgulescu comes up with an idea. It means he's a better manager this time (no laughs). That's how it is when there are elections. It's interesting, but I don't think it can be done now.
Instead, we have to think of another formula where the matches are stronger and we have teams with money. Unfortunately, in League 1 there are about 6 teams that are up to date.
It is possible to do with 14 teams. At least from 16 to 14… Now it's clear that it's a financial matter. The most interesting thing, which Mr. Iorgulescu doesn't say, is that we have to negotiate once more to increase the TV rights”, Valeriu Iftime said, according to digisport.ro.
Ligue 1 needs to produce more. A different way of selling TV rights. How we sell everything football image to get more money. Must be seen and sought out.
When you reduce the number of games the televisions come and say they pay per game, less money. Such a format requires a new negotiation for TV rights. Then an auction will be held. Maybe there will be streaming. There are many formulas by which we can have more money in football.
It's a topic to discuss, and I'm totally open. I think football can make more money
–Valeriu Iftimeaccording to the cited source
Gino Iorgulescu's proposal: “We should make a championship with 12 teams! We are going for licensing, let's set much tougher conditions”
“We should make a championship with 12 teams. As you can see, there are not many teams, there are no stadiums, there are no conditions. And we will go to the licensing, put much tougher conditions so that they can work in League 1
There's another problem! When they play in European cups, we no longer have data to postpone some matches. If there were fewer teams, we would have enough data.
If we put on paper and are bright to perform as well, they should accept a 12-team championship. It would also finish the play-off and play-out at the same time and the values are also focused. The money is divided among fewer teams and there is more for each. And they can take more valuable players”, proposed Gino Iorgulescu.
Ranking in League 1
