Steaua owner Becali faces charge of offering bribes

BUCHAREST, May 9 (Reuters) - Romanian prosecutors opened a criminal inquiry against Steaua Bucharest owner Gigi Becali on Friday, accusing him of trying to bribe players and officials from another team.

"Gigi Becali offered 1.7 million euros to Universitatea Cluj president Anton Dobos and several team players to...do anything possible to draw (with) or beat CFR Cluj, Steaua's main opponents in the fight for the title," the Romanian anti-corruption department (DNA) said in a document.

CFR beat Universitatea 1-0 on Wednesday to take the Romanian league title by one point from Steaua.

On the same day, four people were detained in a Cluj restaurant with 1.7 million euros ($2.61 million), according to newspaper reports.

Becali admitted the money was his but denied any wrongdoing.

Dobos, who is a former Steaua player, Steaua vice-president Tea Sponte and the restaurant owner also faced charges, the DNA said.

Under Romanian law, Becali could be jailed for 12 years if convicted. (Reporting by Radu Timofte; Editing by Clare Fallon)