Romanian club CFR Cluj have been deducted 24 points by the Romanian Football League (LPF) as a result of an inability to control rising debts, reports Reuters.
Liga I side Cluj are one of Romania's most successful sides over the past decade having won three league titles, three national cups and two Supercups between 2008 and 2012, though now owe nearly 20 million euros to various parties.
Former players, coaches and the state are owed the money by the club, with squad members threatening to boycott a league game in November due to unpaid wages.
The points deduction means that the Railwaymen fall to 17th of the 18 Liga I sides with just 10 points, though Cluj's lawyer says the club will appeal the sanction.
The club filed for insolvency on Wednesday, with Reuters reporting that another six Romanian clubs including Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid have also done the same over the past two years as many of the country's teams are struggling to meet UEFA guidelines.
