Football
ESPN staff 9y

Steaua Bucharest stripped of right to use name and colours in military row

#INSERT type:image caption:Steaua, seen at home to Ludogorets, have lost the right to use their name after a court ruling. END#

Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest have been told they can use their name and colours until Dec. 15 following a court ruling in favour of the Romanian military.

Officials at the defence ministry imposed the deadline on Steaua after a court ruling last week said the club, established as an army side in June 1947, had lost their right to use a military identity.

The dispute arose because the army wants more money for the rights, and meant the club were identified only as "hosts" for Sunday's home game against CSMS Iasi.

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Post by CSMS IASI.

They also played in yellow rather than their normal red-and-blue colours, but will be able to revert to their traditional name and strip for Thursday's Europa League match against Dynamo Kiev after the Dec. 15 deadline was set.

In 2011, defence ministry officials accused the club of having used the Steaua brand illegally since 2004, but the situation could yet change if club and ministry can reach a late agreement.

But with Steaua owner Gigi Becali and general manager Mihai Stoica serving prison sentences for abuse of power, the situation remains unclear.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report

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