Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Thursday, April 16, 2026 9:20 p.m. / Updated Thursday, April 16, 2026 11:44 p.m.
The players of the Galaţi team received before Easter 20% of their salary for the month of January. It was the first money related to the year 2026 collected by those from Oțelul.
According to the Gazeta sources, Oțel players are to receive the rest of the money in January, as well as their full salaries in February and March. Plus other debts from 2025, but the club's management concluded rescheduling agreements with the players, in order to be able to take the Super League license.
Adrian Mutu: “It's a shame for Romania”
“I've read Oțelul. We wonder why Steel fell on his head. They only took 20% money this year. What does Romania mean, it's a shame. What should financial stability mean, it's a shame. It's a shame for everyone.
Everyone is talking about the play-offs. If you take all the teams in League 1, they are talking about the play-offs. My dear people, they have no training conditions, but the demands are high! Teams like FCSB can lay claim.
U Cluj does not have such good conditions. Craiova has it, FCSB has it, Rapid has it. CFR has no conditions. And at CFR there are also problems with money”, said Adrian Mutu, according to digisport.ro.
Steel, official reaction about salary arrears
Steel issued a statement after the material appeared in Gazeta Sporturilor and said that the players will collect the remaining 80% of the money for the month of January before the match against UTA on Friday.
By the time of the match against UTA Arad, an event scheduled for Friday, April 17, from 5:30 p.m., the players will receive the salary difference for the month of January 2026. Also, in the immediately following period, the salary arrears for the month of February 2026 will also be paid.
We emphasize the fact that part of the salaries for the month of January has already been paid before the Easter holidays. The financial situation will be on a normal path, as a result of the direct and consistent involvement of the Galati City Hall and the Galati Local Council, which actively supports the club in overcoming this moment and in ensuring the stability necessary for the continuation of sports performance.
– communicated Oțelul
The ranking from the Superliga play-out
