Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse at the soap opera that is Parma FC, this morning saw the proverbial well and truly hit the fan. Giampietro Minenti, the man who promised so much to save this famous club was this morning arrested for embezzlement and money laundering. Manenti who bought he club at the turn of the year for just one euro had continually promised the Parma players, staff and fans alike he had the money to bail them out. Staff and players at the Emiliani hadn’t and still haven’t seen a single Euro enter their bank accounts from their employers since July 2014. Suspicions first started circulating when Manenti failed to pay the players on the deadline of February 17th. With Manenti insisting the money was there, claiming he transferred it on his lap top at home, no money showed up, surprise, surprise. Manenti then vanished oversees trying to sort out ‘technical issues’ with the bank transfer, while all the time still insisting he had the money, the whole thing stunk. After today’s revelations it turns out the money was actually there just not legally, hence the lap top story and trips oversees. It’s been reported in Italy today that Manenti teamed up with experts in Internet and credit card fraud in order to get finances, as another 21 associates were arrested along with ‘the president’. With the club sitting rock bottom of the Serie A table, A £72m debt and a bankruptcy hearing on Thursday what next for The Ducali? Club captain Alessandro Lucarelli, who has been the perfect role model and complete professional throughout this whole ordeal as spokesman and leader for the players, staff and fans, vented his anger and frustration this morning, telling La Repubblica “I am bitter, there’s just a desire to shut everything down. Parma’s turned into a disgusting farce” “It’s been difficult to take to the pitch for some time now and we’re still being dealt blows” While Lucarelli showed his passion for the club, Primavera coach Hernan Crespo was “Lost for words” at the latest twist in the tail of his beloved Parma, Crespo told Calcionews24.com “Look we no longer know what to say” “Unfortunately something terribly serious happened yet again” “Don’t ask me anymore, this is an excessively difficult moment” Crespo was clearly hurting as he struggled to reply to reporters, now Parma’s main focus is on tomorrow (19th March 2015) date in court at the bankruptcy hearing, this is where Parma will learn their fate. Parma’s best option being declared bankrupt and allowed to continue next season in Serie B with new owners. With today’s developments regarding Manenti, Parma need to find new owners quickly, who are able to settle the debt. Potential new owner Alfredo Scaccia today claiming he “Has what it takes” to save Parma. Scaccia an Italian businessman has been linked with the club and today failed to deny these links, in fact quite the opposite, when discussing mayor Pizzarotti’s criteria for taking over the club Scaccia went on to say. “I think my profile those criteria, and for this reason I asked the mayor for a meeting” “In an operation to save the club I could be assisted by some businessmen from London who work in flourishing markets” “I think I have what it takes to give it a go” Tomorrow is one massive day for Parma FC and its future, with the revelations coming out each passing week who knows what will happen tomorrow or in the weeks and months to come, as Parma fans we can only hope and pray things will work out well in the end and our marvellous club can be saved. #saveparma By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
July 2022
|