The teams that were relegated to Divizia B at the end of the previous season (note that although FCM Bacău lost the relegation play–off, it remained in the Divizia A, after it bought the first division place from the promoted team FC Baia Mare): The teams that were promoted from Divizia B at the start of the season: The teams placed on the 13th and 14th place in the Divizia A faced the 2nd placed teams from both groups of the Divizia B. Sportul Studențesc and Farul Constanța won the relegation play-offs, thus, they've kept their places in the Liga I, while Cimentul Fieni and FC Baia Mare will still play in Liga II in the 2002–03 season.
[2] Goalkeepers: Bogdan Lobonț (22 / 0); Florin Prunea (6 / 0); Alexandru Iliuciuc (2 / 0).
Defenders: Mugur Bolohan (26 / 5); Adrian Iordache (1 / 0); Sorin Iodi (11 / 0); Giani Kiriță (28 / 2); Valentin Năstase (13 / 2); Bogdan Onuț (27 / 2); Iosif Tâlvan (26 / 0); Marian Vătavu (11 / 0); Dorin Semeghin (13 / 1); Cristian Pulhac (1 / 0).
Midfielders: Romulus Buia (9 / 0); Constantin Ilie (10 / 0); Ioan Lupescu (7 / 0); Vlad Munteanu (19 / 5); Florin Pârvu (20 / 1); Răzvan Pădurețu (1 / 0); Florentin Petre (10 / 1); Cătălin Rață (1 / 0); Ovidiu Stîngă (18 / 0); Iulian Tameș (29 / 6); Ianis Zicu (16 / 2).
(league appearances and goals listed in brackets) Manager: Cornel Dinu / Marin Ion.