On 14 October 2026 parliament voted, 253 in favour out of 254 members present, to amend Law 118/2002 on the merit indemnity. The text covers members of squads that won the European Cup, the Champions League or the UEFA Super Cup, in any sport, once they are at least 60. The first in line, if the law is promulgated, would be the surviving players from Steaua's 1986 side.

The ball is with President Nicușor Dan. AUR deputy Ciprian Paraschiv, who initiated the bill, told Digi Sport he does not expect the palace to send it to the Constitutional Court and that the promulgation deadline is 20, at most 30, days. His estimate does not replace a signature. Until then the law is not in force and nobody is paid.

The sum discussed is about 6,000 lei a month, which sponsors describe as three minimum wages. Among possible first beneficiaries ProSport names Dumitru Stângaciu, Ștefan Iovan, Adrian Bumbescu, Miodrag Belodedici, Anton Weissenbacher, Constantin Pistol, Tudorel Stoica, László Bölöni, Mihail Majearu, Gabi Balint, Victor Pițurcă, Marius Lăcătuș, Marin Radu and Anghel Iordănescu. Iosif Rotariu, injured before the Super Cup, could qualify if he shows he was in the squad.

Tudorel Stoica told Digi Sport that after 40 years it is good the achievement is recognised, but he recalled Emeric Ienei's warning: do not raise illusions, so as not to meet disappointment. László Bölöni criticised the fact that, until now, only part of the generation received the indemnity while others were left out.

Paraschiv said the handball players from Oltchim and CSM Bucharest, also European champions, would have to wait until they turn 60. The law, he added, can be changed later. That is a political intention, not a timetable.

Steaua beat Barcelona in Seville on 7 May 1986, 0-0 after extra time and 2-0 on penalties. The achievement is not in dispute. The money, however, depends on a decree that does not yet exist.

Image: Netoi Iuliana, the new Steaua stadium in Bucharest, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; archive Ghencea, not a parliamentary sitting on 14 October 2026.

Sources consulted: The ball is with President Nicusor Dan after the Steaua vote - ProSport; Tudorel Stoica waits for Nicusor Dan's decision - Digi Sport.