# Deaths of prominent Romanian sports administrators > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/deaths-of-prominent-romanian-sports-administrators > Updated: 2026-10-27T03:35:18.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3. In October 2026, two significant figures in Romanian sports administration passed away at the age of 91. Corneliu Costinescu, a former Vice President of the Romanian Football Federation and former president of the Bacău County Football Association, died on October 1. His career in football spanned over five decades, including roles as a coach and president of Sport Club Bacău. Viorel Păunescu, former president of the Steaua Bucharest football club and former president of the Romanian Swimming Federation, died on October 24 following a long battle with health issues, including Alzheimer's disease. A former handball player for the Romanian national team, Păunescu played for clubs such as Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest during the 1950s and 1960s. As President of the Board of Directors at Steaua Bucharest from 1998 to 2003, he oversaw the transition of the team from the Ministry of National Defense to the establishment of the AFC Steaua association, later serving as the club's honorary president. He also led the Romanian Swimming Federation between 2005 and 2013. Beyond sports, Păunescu was a businessman involved in real estate, tourism, and hospitality, with family interests in the media and energy industries. He was notably involved in the administration of major hotels such as the InterContinental Bucharest and Hotel Rex in Mamaia. Following his death, the Professional Football League (LPF) announced that all remaining matches in the 13th round of the Superliga would begin with a moment of silence to honor his memory. A funeral ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 27, in Bucharest. The service began at the Sfântul Elefterie Vechi Church before proceeding to the Bellu Cemetery. ## Claims - Viorel Păunescu died at the age of 91. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Păunescu served as president of Steaua Bucharest from 1998 to 2003. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Păunescu played handball for Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest. (corroborated by 2 sources) - He was a member of the Romanian national handball team. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Păunescu suffered from Alzheimer's disease. (corroborated by 2 sources) - He had previously dealt with five hernias. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Păunescu won a league title with coach Victor Pițurcă. (corroborated by 2 sources) - He was the president of the Romanian Swimming Federation from November 2005 to November 2013. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-27: Viorel Păunescu, former Steaua Bucharest president, dies at 91 Former Steaua Bucharest president Viorel Păunescu has died at age 91. A funeral service in Bucharest was attended by numerous Romanian football personalities and supporters. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/viorel-punescu-former-steaua-bucharest-president-dies-at-91-1 ### 2026-10-24: Viorel Păunescu, former Steaua București president, dies at 91 Former Steaua București president and Romanian Swimming Federation leader Viorel Păunescu has died at 91. He was a key figure in Romanian sports and the post-communist hospitality industry. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/viorel-punescu-former-steaua-bucharest-president-dies-at-91 ### 2026-10-01: Corneliu Costinescu, former FRF Vice President, dies at 91 Corneliu Costinescu, former Vice President of the Romanian Football Federation and long-time leader of Sport Club Bacău, has died at age 91 on his birthday. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/notable-romanian-figures-corneliu-costinescu-and-constantin-brncoveanu-pass-away --- Cite as: Deaths of prominent Romanian sports administrators. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/deaths-of-prominent-romanian-sports-administrators