Valeriu Iftime, the owner of FC Botoșani, is a close associate of the former Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, and runs a hidden business. Iftime, a well-known businessman with contracts worth 3 billion euros with the Romanian state, is also the head of Botoșani County Council, starting from 2024. Besides his passion for football, Iftime has a strong interest in horses.
Iftime recently declared to Digi Sport, "I am not a jockey or a major horse owner. I have a farm with about 30-40 horses that compete in jumping events. I enjoy them and have a business with them, I can be called a horse trader. I once sold a horse for 60,000 euros, having bought it for only 10,000 euros."
According to his wealth declaration to the Botoșani County Council, Iftime's net worth exceeds 100 million euros. In 2024, his monthly pension income was 36,000 lei.
FC Botoșani, which was this season's revelation in the Superliga, is entering its last play-off match today at 6:30 PM against Csikszereda. This match is crucial for both teams, as the top two teams in the play-offs will secure European licenses for the upcoming season.
The current top three positions are held by FCSB with 37 points, UTA Arad with 36 points, and FC Botoșani with 33 points. Oțelul is in fourth place with 32 points. UTA and Oțelul do not have UEFA licenses.
Other matches in the play-off round are scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 8:30 PM, including Farul Constanța vs Metaloglobus, Petrolul vs Oțelul, Unirea Slobozia vs UTA Arad, and Hermannstadt vs FCSB.
Iftime’s business savvy and passion for horses are well known, but it's his influence in football that really raises eyebrows. How long can he keep balancing these worlds without any scandal? It’s like he’s walking a tightrope over a lion’s den!