Article by Sebastian Vasile – Published Sunday, December 28, 2025 5:28 p.m. / Updated Sunday, December 28, 2025 5:46 p.m.
Aurel Țicleanu (66 years old), double champion with the University of Craiova and semi-finalist in the UEFA Cup, initiated a lawsuit against the Pension House, accusing the state of not recognizing his contributions from the period when he was a footballer (1976-1989). He lost at first instance, but can appeal within the next 30 days.
Invited to the Prima Sport studio, Aurel Țicleanu explained how footballers' incomes were structured in the 80s and why he is now fighting in court for the recognition of his pension rights. Țicleanu has a 3600 lei pension, as he testified for iamsport.ro.
“I had just come from Metalurgistul Sadu and I had a kind of allowance of 500 lei. The workers' teams always paid better than the student teams. I had 500 lei and we also received bonuses. I stayed in the dormitory and had a meal provided. I had this thing. That's how we started. After that, we had an allowance. 2000 lei was given to each team.
We, in Craiova, took an extra 500 lei because we had an average of over 20,000 spectators and he gave us another 25%, so 500 lei. I had started playing for the national team, I had 1,000 lei from the national team in addition. Per month. So, 2,500 with 1,000 lei and I was on the national team.
And we had to come up with these things. I was a student and I was also a locksmith in a company at the Construction Trust. I had 1,600 lei, that was the salary, but I took half. This was the money. Plus game premiums. And we ended up taking 60,000 lei, which the state no longer recognizes.
The state taxed you 25% then, but now it says it didn't pay the pension contributions! What interests me is that there are no documents?! Are we responsible for why the state didn't pay for us? He took the money! What they did with the money is none of my business! I can't answer, direct these things”, thundered Țcleanu.
44 matcheshas Aurel Țicleanu at the national team, at the end of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s
Aurel Țicleanu and Tilihoi in U Craiova – Poli Timisoara (1981)
Țicleanu lost the case in the first instance
The former Craiova player confirmed that he lost the trial in the first phase, but he is not giving up. The next deadline was set for March 2026.
“I lost in the first instance. I have one more time in March. I sued the Pension House. And for all my colleagues coming from behind… I am in the same situation, that it is the same money. Because the state asks you about the contribution. That is the contribution. We beat Kaiserslautern, I think he gave us 45,000. And then he stopped us and we took about 27,000 in hand. Each player got 45,000”.
I have suffered from traumatic cataracts in my left eye since my youth. When I had to do my medical file to get my license, I was afraid that I would fail ophthalmology. What to do, what to do? Then, an idea came to me that turned out to be salutary: I sent my “brother” Ghiță Geolgău for examination! We're about the same age, maybe a little alike… Anyway, the ophthalmologist had no way of knowing it wasn't me, right? And that's how I solved the problem, the record was fine, and I drove calmly.
– Aurel Țicleanu at Friends of Ovidiu
