CFR Cluj is currently navigating a complex situation involving player Damjan Djokovic, who is 36 years old. The club aims to terminate his contract but requires Djokovic’s agreement to proceed without legal repercussions.
On Tuesday, Djokovic’s name appeared on the Romanian Football Federation’s website as he was reported to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee amid allegations of involvement in a betting scandal. The case is scheduled for review on July 27, 2026. Also mentioned in connection with the case is Ioan Ivașcu, the club’s legal counsel.
CFR Cluj’s Complicated Situation with Damjan Djokovic
Following the revelation, Ioan Varga responded to GSP.ro, stating, “If he has done wrong, we will kick him out! We will terminate the contract immediately.” However, the circumstances are more intricate than they initially appear.
The Croatian midfielder has one year remaining on his contract with CFR Cluj and is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement in betting, without having received any sanctions as yet. Therefore, club management must wait for the outcome of the investigation. If the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee finds him guilty, CFR Cluj can unilaterally terminate his contract without facing any issues.
If the club terminates Djokovic’s contract before the verdict is reached and he is later cleared by the committee, he could potentially pursue legal action against CFR Cluj to claim his full salary for the remainder of his contract.
The management also has the option of an amicable termination, meaning they need to reach an agreement with Djokovic to mutually end the contract. The club is hopeful they can pursue this route, especially since they intended to conclude Djokovic’s contract by the end of last season, prior to the FRF’s announcement of the ongoing investigation into him.
This marks Djokovic’s second tenure at CFR Cluj, following his previous spell from 2017 to 2021. He returned to the club in the summer of 2024 after completing his contract with Rapid and had previously played for FCSB during the 2023-2024 season. In the recently concluded season, he was a key player for the club, participating in 44 matches across all competitions.
