Popescu denies being Romanian spy
30 Jun 2009, 1635 Hrs

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London, June 30 Former Romanian football player Gheorghe Popescu, who had played for various clubs around the world, has denied allegations that he was an informer of the feared Communist secret police in Romania in the 1980s.

Romanian newspaper the Daily Adevarul has claimed Popescu had been an informant of Securitate -the secret service of Communist Romania- from 1986 to 1989. It is said he provided information to the feared organisation.

Popescu, who has played for clubs in -England, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Germany- called the report a big lie, and claimed that he was being targeted by a hate campaign as he bids to head Romania's Football Association.

Meanwhile, the footballer has disclosed that he was approached by the secret police to work for them, but he claims that he refused their offer.

"My conscience is clear," the Telegraph quoted Popescu, as saying.

Popescu highlighted that he had signed a document, which promised to defend the national interests during Nicolae Ceausescu's regime. However, he says it was a common practice for Romanian players who wanted to play for international teams.

A former Romanian captain, Popescu stands among Romania's all-time most capped players with 115, in which he scored 16 goals. He played for his country in the 1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cups, Euro 96 and Euro 2000.

Popescu was never outside the top 4 in the Romanian Footballer of the Year awards for 13 years from 1989 until 2001. He was recently voted into Romanian footballs all-time World Cup team. (ANI)

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