Pediatrician Celso Barros passed away this Saturday (15th) at the age of 73. He is one of Fluminense’s presidential candidates and is also a former president of Unimed Rio, the club’s former sponsor.
The club, which is scheduled to hold elections on the 29th, has officially declared mourning.
Celso Barros was also known in football circles for signing some of the biggest stars who have worn the club’s shirt over the past few decades, including Romario, Edmundo, Fred, Conca and Deco.
In a statement, Fluminense expressed deep regret over the death of Celso Barros and made the Salão Nobre de Laranjeiras available to his family for the wake.
“The pediatrician, who was always in love, passionately discussed the fate of the club. He continued to take an active part in Fluminense’s political life. The club sympathizes with his family, friends and all the Tricolore who have admired him for many years at this moment of sadness.”
Five years after the partnership with UniMed ended, the doctor was re-involved in Fluu’s day-to-day activities when he was elected vice-president alongside current chairman Mario Bittencourt. The two parties broke up during the first term, and the doctor moved to the opposition party.