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Press conference in the boardroom: Gigi Becali. Image: imago sportphotodienst
Europe’s craziest football boss: “He threw money on the audience”
The polarization of presidents, managers and coaches is part of football. We also have several examples of this. Probably the craziest club boss of all lives in Romania.
When Gigi Becali doesn’t drive expensive cars in Bucharest, he occasionally leads a flock of sheep through the Romanian capital. He’s a multi-billionaire, a club owner, and yes, you read that right, pastor. “He comes from a family of shepherds and he was too. He still owns some sheep, they live near his house, ”says Emanuel Rosu, a Romanian journalist, in an interview with t-online.
Becali’s house is a palace. Sumptuously furnished, high ceilings, gilded armchairs and ornate doors. Not only does he live here, but it is also where he holds his press conferences.
Becali, der Pate. Image: imago images
Because if he doesn’t like something about his club, FCSB, he says so. The Premier League club and the reigning cups in Romania hear Becali speak. They don’t care what other people think. Like a godfather, he puts pressure on the coach, decides the lineups and sales of the players. Becali polarizes. “Some hate him, others love him – even in his own club,” explains reporter Rosu, adding: “It’s not easy to deal with him. Today he’s your friend, tomorrow he attacks you. His loud mouth is probably his worst quality. “.
Go around the number 10
He has been rooted in the Bucharest club since 2003. Initially as a major sponsor and president, now as an owner without an official position. He was more powerful and his influence was greater, but many fans still listen to him today. “People like to hear him talk. The media also let him speak because he makes news and a good audience, “says Rosu.
Becali doesn’t mince words and shares strongly: “He was very provocative, especially in the past. He spoke ill of the opposing players, he said he could buy them if he wanted. He also liked to bring out his players.”
Little hair, little credit: Rafal Grzelak. Image: imago images
An example: in 2009 he bought Rafal Grzelak from Poland for the club that was then still called Steaua Bucharest. Grzelak was assigned number 10. After a few appearances with Steaua, Becali took the number from him. Becali said she has never seen a number 10 player who was bald. So he didn’t want that to happen to his club anymore, “explains Rosu. It is not surprising that Grzelak left the club after a year.
Two years in prison
Becali came to his fortune after the fall of communism in 1989. “Many people sold their land to him. Over time, this land has become more precious and Becali has become richer and richer ”, remembers Rosu. The now 62-year-old has made a fortune in real estate. In 2008 the business magazine “Capital” named him the richest Romanian.
With € 2.5 billion, Becali pushed tennis legend Ion Tiriac (€ 2.4 billion) to second place. He did not hide his wealth, he likes to show what he has. In an interview with the football magazine “11 Freunde”, former footballer Marcel Raducanu reported another strange experience: “A few years ago, Steaua played in the UEFA Cup in Heerenveen, the team won 3-1 and Becali was in a good mood. Also I felt good all around, I had seen a great match and was still standing in the stands. Suddenly Becali was walking with two bodyguards in the direction of the fan-shaped curve of the Steaua, then he opened his coat and threw some banknotes in the audience. “
Becali likes to talk about how he went from pastor to multimillionaire. But the fairy tale has several cracks. Because Becali was already in jail for a rough deal. “He traded land with the military. Investigators learned of the exchange because Becali’s new land was much more valuable than what he had given to the military. ”The result: he had to go to jail in 2013 and was paroled after two years.
Doubtful business has already put him in jail. Image: www.imago-images.de
The scratched image
After his return to freedom, Becali was not a person burned in public. Because despite everything, the multibillionaire has the image of a benefactor for many people. Becali financially supports many churches and reconstructed villages that have been destroyed by the floods. And he built a hospital that treats cancer patients for free. This is something special in Romania – and for Becali the opportunity to improve her image.
Because not only the crude trade deals have brought him a lot of criticism, but the homophobic and sexist statements have also caused outrage. He once wanted to lock homosexuals in “special neighborhoods” and ban events like the “GayFest”. In 2018, she described women’s football as “implementing Satan’s ideas” and “against human nature”. It has already banned the purchase of gay footballers.
This does not go well with some Romanians and FSCB fans. Finally they want peace and quiet and a “normal” club leader. But precisely because of the Corona crisis and financial losses for the club, Becali’s addiction has increased again. The end of the controversial pastor period in the club is not in sight.
Sources used:
Photo of a childhood in Romania
Not Romanian, but important: how do you order a beer in Rumantsch?
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