2023–24 Liga III

FC Brașov saga

FC Brașov had comfortably avoided relegation from Liga II last season, while Progresul Spartac were relegated after losing their last chance, the play-off against Metaloglobus. However FC Brașov did not have their finances in order and the FRF had no choice but to relegate them. FC Brașov appealed the decision, including at the court in Lausanne, but ultimately lost.

On 7 August 2023, FC Brașov was definitively relegated from Liga II by the Romanian Football Federation, with Progresul Spartac being readmitted to the Liga II.[7]

Soon after leadership decided to disband the senior team of FC Brașov with the view to eventually merge with fellow city club SR Brașov, freeing up another spot in Liga III.[8]

Teams spared from relegation

Progresul Spartac București was spared from relegation to 2023–24 Liga III season, due to the decision to relegate FC Brașov, decision that vacanted place in the 2022–23 Liga II season.

Sănătatea Cluj, ACB Ineu, KSE Târgu Secuiesc and Vedița Colonești were spared from relegation to 2023–24 Liga IV season.

Withdrawn teams

Real Bradu,[9] Farul II Constanța,[10] Retezatul Hațeg,[11] Ripensia Timișoara,[12] Viitorul Liteni,[13] Unirea Constanța and Academica Recea[14] withdrew from the competition, before the start of the season. Crișul Chișineu-Criș[15] withdrew at the time of the draw due to a political decision. Gloria Albești also withdrew last minute.

Renamed teams and other changes

Dinamo Bacău merged with Academia FC Bacău to form FC Bacău.[16]

CSM Satu Mare was renamed as CSM Olimpia Satu Mare.[17]

Muscelul Câmpulung Elite was renamed as AFC Câmpulung Muscel 2022[18]

Last minute changes

With the disbanding of FC Brașov, and the last minute withdrawals of Crișul Chișineu-Criș and Gloria Albești, the FRF decided to readmit some teams and reshuffle some of the series in order to better adhere to geographic criteria. As such Dacia Unirea Braila were readmitted, even though they had relegated after the last season, also LPS HD Clinceni (formerly known as Academica Clinceni) and Oltul Curtișoara were allowed to join Liga III, even though they had lost their respective promotion playoffs from Liga IV.[19]

League map

Bucharest Șomuz Bucovina Foresta CSM Bacău Miroslava Darabani Brodoc Aerostar FC Bacău CSM Vaslui Metalul Rm. Sărat Liești Focșani Braniștea Limpeziș Dacia Unirea Ianca Hamangia Șuțești Modelu Afumați Agricola Recolta D.Cǎlǎrași Băneasa Axiopolis Fundulea Flacăra Moreni Pucioasa ARO Muscelul D.Giurgiu Plopeni Blejoi Breaza Păulești Râșnov Kids Tâmpa SR Brașov Sepsi II Odorhei KSE Zărnești AFC Muscel Tărlungeni Curița Horezu Potcoava Vedița Dăești Roșiori Cozia Cetatea Bascov Rm. Vâlcea Curtișoara Deva Jiul Șimian Gilortul Filiași Lupac U Craiova II Craiova 1948 II Turceni Ghiroda Pecica Cermei Lipova Periam Ineu Buziaș Bihor Poli Socodor Peciu Nou Reghin Ungheni Metalurgistul Târgu Mureș Unirea Viitorul Cluj CSU Gloria Mediaș Galda Zalău CSM Satu Mare Olimpia MCMXXI Ocna Dej Lotus Sănătatea Sighetu Sântandrei Victoria Carei Baia Mare Locations of Liga III clubs by series Seria I   Seria II   Seria III   Seria IV   Seria V   Seria VI   Seria VII   Seria VIII   Seria IX   Seria X   Voluntari II Clinceni Popești-Leordeni CS Dinamo Locations of Liga III clubs from Bucharest and the vicinity Seria III   Seria IV   Regular season Seria I Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Foresta Suceava 7 5 2 0 18 7 +11 17 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 CSM Bacău 7 5 0 2 11 6 +5 15 3 Bucovina Rădăuți 7 3 3 1 9 7 +2 12 4 CSM Vaslui 7 3 2 2 11 9 +2 11 5 Știința Miroslava 8 3 0 5 12 14 −2 9 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 FC Bacău 7 2 2 3 9 12 −3 8 7 Rapid Brodoc 7 2 1 4 7 10 −3 7 8 Aerostar Bacău 7 2 1 4 8 12 −4 7 9 Șomuz Fălticeni 7 0 3 4 7 15 −8 3 10 Viitorul Darabani 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0[lower-alpha 1] Excluded Updated to match(es) played on 14 October 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Notes: Viitorul Darabani was excluded in the first part of the season and all its results were canceled. Seria II Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Metalul Buzău 1 1 0 0 7 0 +7 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Focșani 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3 3 Unirea Braniștea 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 4 Sporting Liești 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 5 Viitorul Ianca 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Dacia Unirea Brăila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Hamangia Baia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Râmnicu Sărat 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0 9 Voința Limpeziș 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 10 Viitorul Șuțești 1 0 0 1 0 7 −7 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria III Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Recolta Gheorghe Doja 1 1 0 0 5 1 +4 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Înainte Modelu 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3 3 Progresul Fundulea 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 4 Afumați 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 Agricola Borcea 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Dunărea Călărași 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Clinceni 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Axiopolis Cernavodă 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 9 Gloria Băneasa 1 0 0 1 1 5 −4 0 10 Voluntari II 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria IV Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 ARO Muscelul Câmpulung 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 CS Dinamo București 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3 3 Pucioasa 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 4 Blejoi 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3 5 Popești-Leordeni 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Păulești 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0 7 Plopeni 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 8 Flacăra Moreni 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0 9 Tricolorul Breaza 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0 10 Dunărea Giurgiu 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria V Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Câmpulung Muscel 1 1 0 0 5 1 +4 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Olimpic Cetate Râșnov 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 3 3 Kids Tâmpa Brașov 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3 4 Odorheiu Secuiesc 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 5 Viitorul Curița 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 SR Brașov 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 KSE Târgu Secuiesc 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 8 Ciucaș Tărlungeni 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0 9 Sepsi OSK II 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0 10 Olimpic Zărnești 1 0 0 1 1 5 −4 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria VI Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Vedița Colonești 4 3 1 0 10 3 +7 10 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Cetatea Turnu Măgurele 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9 3 Oltul Curtișoara 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7 4 Viitorul Dăești 4 2 0 2 8 8 0 6 5 Râmnicu Vâlcea 4 2 0 2 6 7 −1 6 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Unirea Bascov 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4 7 Sporting Roșiori 3 1 0 2 6 8 −2 3 8 Flacăra Horezu 3 0 1 2 3 6 −3 1 9 Petrolul Potcoava 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1 10 Cozia Călimănești 4 0 1 3 1 6 −5 1 Updated to match(es) played on 15 September 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria VII Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Universitatea Craiova II 1 1 0 0 5 1 +4 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Ghiroda 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 3 Jiul Petroșani 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 4 Deva 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 5 Turceni 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 FCU Craiova 1948 II 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 7 Gilortul Târgu Cărbunești 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 8 Filiași 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 9 Viitorul Șimian 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 10 Voința Lupac 1 0 0 1 1 5 −4 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria VIII Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Bihor Oradea 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Progresul Pecica 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3 3 Socodor 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 4 Gloria Lunca-Teuz Cermei 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 5 Phoenix Buziaș 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Politehnica Timișoara 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 Avântul Periam 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0 8 Șoimii Lipova 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 9 ACB Ineu 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 10 Peciu Nou 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria IX Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Unirea Ungheni 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Metalurgistul Cugir 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 3 Viitorul Cluj 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 4 Gloria Bistrița-Năsăud 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 5 Mediaș 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Industria Galda 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 Unirea Alba Iulia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 8 Universitatea Alba Iulia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 9 MSE Târgu Mureș 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 10 Avântul Reghin 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] Seria X Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Minerul Ocna Dej 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3 Qualification to Play-Off round 2 Zalău 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 3 Olimpia Satu Mare 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 4 Sighetu Marmației 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 5 Olimpia MCMXXI Satu Mare 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 Qualification to Play-Out round 6 Sănătatea Cluj 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 7 Crișul Sântandrei 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 8 Minaur Baia Mare 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 9 Lotus Băile Felix 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0 10 Victoria Carei 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0 Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2023. Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.[20] References "Viitorul Curița promovează la "masa verde" în Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023. "Manșa retur a barajului de promovare în Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023. "TAS a dat răspunsul: FC Brașov nu poate evolua în Liga 2. Echipa care îi ia locul în campionat". digisport.ro. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023. "Manșa tur a barajelor de promovare în Liga 2". liga2.prosport.ro. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023. "Aflăm cele cinci nou-promovate în Liga 2". liga2.prosport.ro. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023. "Cele 19 echipe retrogradate din Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023. "Verdict crunt de la TAS pentru FC Brașov!". liga2.prosport.ro. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023. https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-3/fc-brasov-are-un-nou-presedinte-un-fost-europarlamentar-19281676 "Real Bradu se retrage din Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "Farul Constanța a decis să-și dezființeze echipa secundă din Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "Retezatul Hațeg s-a retras din Liga 3 după un sezon în acest campionat". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "Dumitru Mihu șochează: mai vrea să vândă Ripensia după ce a desființat echipa de seniori!". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "Încă un abandon în Liga 3: deținătoarea eventului în Suceava a decis să continue la nivel județean!". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 21 July 2023. "Academica Recea nu va lua startul în Liga 3!". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 26 July 2023. "Crișul Chișineu Criș nu mai continuă în Liga 3! "Ni s-a comunicat să ne găsim alte echipe!"". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 11 August 2023. "Dinamo Bacău dispare din Liga 3 după două sezoane. I-a cesionat locul în campionat altui club și l-a numit antrenor pe Costel Enache". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "CSM Satu Mare va juca în noul sezon de Liga 3 sub denumirea de CSM Olimpia Satu Mare". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "ACS Muscelul Câmpulung Elite începe noul sezon de Liga 3 cu altă denumire. Cele trei echipe din Argeș prezente în campionat, dintre care două din Câmpulung, puse de FRF să joace în trei serii!" [ACS Muscelul Câmpulung Elite starts the new League 3 season with a different name. The three teams from Argeș present in the championship, of which two from Câmpulung, put by the FRF to play in three series!]. liga2.prosport.ro. 25 August 2023. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.(in Romanian) "Modificări de ultim moment în Liga 3, cu schimbări în numai puțin de șase serii. Deciziile FRF pentru completarea celor trei locuri vacante după retragerea echipelor FC Brașov, Crișul Chișineu Criș și Gloria Albești" [Last-minute changes in League 3, with changes in just under six series. The decisions of the FRF to fill the three vacant places after the withdrawal of the teams FC Brașov, Crișul Chișinău Criș and Gloria Albești]. liga2.prosport.ro. 24 August 2023. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.(in Romanian) "Regulamentul de Organizare a Activității Fotbalistice" (PDF). Retrieved 1 September 2022.