“We were on the same wavelength. And we, and those from the Steaua club, through the voice of Gigi Becali!”
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Thursday, 04 June 2026 20:48 / Updated on Thursday, 04 June 2026 21:16
All the information from the political area indicates that Mihnea Motoc (59 years old) would return to the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense, in the future Executive that Prime Minister-designate Eugen Tomac is trying to form, after his nomination by President Nicușor Dan.
In the context of a possible return to the headship of MApN, the statements made by Mihnea Motoc a decade ago, when she held the same position and commented on one of the most sensitive topics in Romanian sport, the conflict between the club patronized by Gigi Becali and the army club, come into focus. At that time, FCSB was still called Steaua, and the team that now plays in League 2 had not been established.
At that time, the dispute over Stella's brand and identity was in its infancy, and relations between the two camps were strained. However, Motoc, who presented himself as “a small star”, adopted a conciliatory speech and spoke openly about the need for a dialogue between the parties, out of a desire to make peace with Gigi Becali.
What Mihnea Motoc said 10 years ago about Gigi Becali
“I have to confess to you that I am a star player from a young age. I have crossed paths with Mr. Becali several times, during the time when he was active as a member of the European Parliament. I am completely open. There have been contacts recently, Mr. Gigi Becali also commented on them. I want the company that manages the professional football team to return to Ghencea. Of course, under the terms of the law”, declared Mihnea Motoc on PRO TV, more than 10 years ago.
Moreover, the Minister of Defense at the time conveyed that the Army does not intend to block the activity of the team financed by Gigi Becali, the intention being to seek a solution that is advantageous for both parties.
“We want to come with total openness and good intentions. I printed this opening note and I am extremely encouraged by the results of this first meeting. It was interesting and impressive that we were on the same wavelength. And we, the MApN, and those from the Steaua club, through the voice of Gigi Becali. Of course we would be happy for them to use the stadium as well. It is good that the discussion has started”, said Motoc.
Who is Mihnea Motoc, the one who would be appointed to the Ministry of Defense
Mihnea Motoc is a career diplomat and one of the best-known figures of Romanian diplomacy in recent decades. A graduate of the Faculty of Law, he has been active in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1991, after a short period in the magistracy.
Throughout his career, he held several important positions in the representation of Romania abroad. He was ambassador to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, permanent representative of Romania to the United Nations and head of the Permanent Representation of Romania to the European Union.
His experience also includes activity at the highest level of international diplomacy. During the period in which he represented Romania at the UN, he was part of our country's delegation to the Security Council, one of the organization's most important bodies.
Between 2015 and 2017, Mihnea Motoc held the position of Minister of National Defense in the technocratic Government led by Dacian Cioloș. Currently, his name is being circulated for a possible return to the leadership of the MApN, in the future Executive which is in the process of formation.
Mihnea Motoc // photo: Facebook
The current situation at Steaua is dramatic
The situation at the club in Ghencea is getting worse from week to week. More recently, the few athletes, coaches and other categories who are active in the club based on sports activity contracts they were made to sign additional documents that they will only receive the money from month to month.
Before, when there were no financial problems, CASs were signed for one year. Now, because of these problems, CASs are made with monthly additional documents, so that on their basis the money can be released for the respective payments.
The budget came late, and in the salary chapter, only a third was allocated for the payment of salaries compared to the previous year. The money was already 90% spent between January and April. Under these conditions, the club's management tried to cut expenses from other chapters, such as food, equipment, medication, but even there the respective amounts were not too large.
