BUCHAREST: Steaua Bucharest are to appeal against a Romanian court ruling that the 1986 European club champions must change their name.

The Ministry of Defence had sued the club for using the name which it claimed as its own property since 2004 when Steaua became professionally independent.

The court also imposed a fine of €40m which, according to club owner Gigi Becali, would render both him and the club bankrupt.

In the meantime the Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is planning to enter a new Steaua in the fourth and lowest division of the league next season.

In 1986 Steaua became the first eastern European club to win the European Champions Cup when they defeated Barcelona 3-0 on penalties in Seville after a goalless draw.

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