Soccer official quits amid corruption probe

Bucharest - The general secretary of the Romanian football federation, Gheorghe Chivorchian, has resigned after prosecutors charged him with abusing his position and forging documents seven years ago when he was chairperson of a local club.

Chivorchian was charged on Saturday in connection with an illegal €1m paid from local authorities to Poli Timisoara in 2008, when he was the club chairperson.

Chivorchian, secretary since 2014, said on Tuesday he was stepping down in the name of "transparency and professionalism" that governs the federation until "a complete clarification of the situation."

Prosecutors said Chivorchian forged documents saying the funds were for players' salaries, when they were used to pay old debts and other purposes. He said he thought the contract was legal.

Romania has intensified its anti-corruption drive in recent months.