Constantin Covaciu, the 58-year-old masseur for Dinamo’s second team, died on July 31 after a minibus transporting the squad in Câmpulung Muscel veered off the road and struck a tree.
The tragedy occurred as the Dinamo 2 squad was traveling to training. While the impact was fatal for Covaciu, other passengers were transported to the hospital for medical evaluations. Among the injured was coach Adrian Ropotan, a former Dinamo player, who suffered a nasal pyramid fracture and required surgery on his hand, according to Prosport.
Driver Negligence and Infrastructure Failures
Details regarding the driver have emerged, creating a point of contention for club leadership. Andrei Nicolescu, president of the team, stated that the driver was the brother of the transport company’s owner, who had been on vacation. Nicolescu noted that while the company was locally recognized and had participated in tenders, the driver appeared agitated on the day of the crash. He described the event as 5-6 fatal seconds where the driver panicked, though he noted the vehicle did not plunge into a ravine, stopping just a few meters short, as reported by Prosport.
Contradicting the narrative of panic, Adevarul reports preliminary information suggesting the driver may have suffered a heart attack at the wheel, causing the vehicle to exit the roadway.
Nicolescu shifted some of the moral blame toward the political class, arguing that legislative measures are often mere band-aids and that a lack of preventative work on infrastructure makes it difficult for clubs to operate safely. He explained that the club rented separate buses for the Bucharest and Câmpulung locations to optimize costs, as the senior team maintains an exclusive rental agreement.
Player Injuries and Psychological Trauma
The physical toll on the youth squad is significant. According to Nicolescu, three children have already undergone surgery and will be away from the field for three to four months. One player suffered a C2 fracture—a severe neck injury—that requires prolonged bed rest. Other injuries include a hip displacement and two ankle problems, one of which required surgery and another that is currently in a cast.
Beyond the physical injuries, the club is addressing the psychological impact of the crash. Nicolescu revealed that the victims spent 35 minutes in a distressing environment before rescue services arrived, witnessing scenes that no one should see. To keep the players on the path to professional football, the club is providing psychological support and organizing reunions at Săftica with the senior team.
The Burial Dispute: Family vs. Club
The aftermath of the accident has devolved into a public conflict over the final arrangements for Constantin Covaciu. Daniel claimed that while the club committed to covering costs since his father died in the line of duty, the response to a plot request was astounding, as detailed by Adevarul.
Dinamo has countered these claims. Costinel Radu claimed the family instead demanded the club transfer funds directly to the account of Mrs. Covaciu—who is divorced from the deceased—for a three-spot vault, a request the club denied due to a lack of proper documentation.
| Item/Expense | Club’s Reported Cost/Offer | Family’s Requested Plot |
|---|---|---|
| Total Spent to Date | 48,000 lei | — |
| Coffin Cost | 22,000 lei | — |
| Offered Plot Price | 2,500 euros | — |
The Legacy of Gogu Covaciu
Known affectionately as Gogu
, Constantin Covaciu had a long history in Romanian football. A former player for Sportul Studențesc, where he played alongside Marcel Coraș and Mihail Marian, he eventually transitioned into massage therapy. He served on the first-team staff under manager Ovidiu Burcă before moving to the second team upon the arrival of Zeljko Kopic, according to Fanatik.
Covaciu was also a confidant to figures within the sport. Marius Mitran revealed to Fanatik that Covaciu often spoke of Ioan Andone’s deep regret over not being part of the current Dinamo project. This personal connection highlights the emotional void left within the club’s inner circle by the masseur’s death.
While the club has covered immediate medical and funeral bills, the legal battle is far from over. Nicolescu confirmed that the club will provide legal support to the victims, as the primary lawsuits will be directed at the transport company and its insurance providers.
The central uncertainty remains the resolution of the burial dispute and whether the club’s financial support will extend to the long-term rehabilitation of the injured youth players, which Nicolescu admitted has already thrown the budget off.
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