Juventus have taken legal action to force a Romanian club to change their name and badge.
Juventus Bucharest were promoted to the Liga 1 for this season, having been formed in 1992.
Their badge bears a striking similarity to the one the Bianconeri used until this season, and the Italian club asked the Romanian one to change due to copyright infringements.
Juventus have taken legal action to force a Romanian club to change their name and badge.
Juventus Bucharest were promoted to the Liga 1 for this season, having been formed in 1992.
Their badge bears a striking similarity to the one the Bianconeri used until this season, and the Italian club asked the Romanian one to change due to copyright infringements.
“There was a Juventus Bucharest team before World War II but that one disappeared so these guys just took the name,” explains Romanian football expert Emanuel Roşu to Football Italia.
“I don't think anybody had complaints to make because Juve Bucharest is a small neighbourhood club, with not many fans.
“The reaction in Romania… it's just fun. Nobody really looks into this with much tension, because Juventus is not a well supported club.
“It's a surprise that they got promoted in the first place, it was an unexpected achievement for a small club.
“They will be renamed to FC Colentina.”
Sad day for the millions of Juventus Bucharest fans out there. The club was asked by Juventus Torino to change their name and crest. They will be called FC Colentina starting next season and will have a new crest as well. pic.twitter.com/JsFPX00A7P
— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) December 4, 2017
Like the more famous Juventus, the original Romanian club was named for the Latin word for youth, and even had the image Romulus and Remus being nursed by a she-wolf that is the symbol of Rome.
Roma have the same image on their badge, but when the new club was formed in 1992 they adopted a badge much more similar to the Old Lady’s.
“It didn't bother them [Juve] until recently,” Roşu explains.
“It was probably saw they were playing first league football. So there could have been a conflict of brands… You never know, if they win the league!”
That appears unlikely, as Juventus Bucharest, soon to be FC Colentina, are bottom of the league with one win from 20 games.