Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero insists ‘nobody will exclude’ the club from Serie A even if he eventually pays players’ wages ‘a little late’ because the Blucerchiati are ‘a Unesco heritage site.’
The current board of directors has been very clear in warning that the situation is dire, with outstanding wages from October, November and December 2022 still not paid.
They have until February 16 to pay up, or Samp will be docked points in the current Serie A season, where they are already battling against relegation.
An American investment fund called Merlyn Partners tried to buy the Serie A club last month, only for Ferrero to slam the door and refuse to even attend meetings.
“The institutions of football will say nothing because it is in their own interests to save Sampdoria, as this is a Unesco heritage site, an historic club that was born in a fusion of two teams on August 12, 1946,” Ferrero told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The salaries will be paid, let’s just lower the temperature here. Nobody will kick Sampdoria out of the league, nobody will do anything, because Sampdoria will pay the wages.
“At most they might be a little late, but that won’t happen, because when I was President and we were in lockdown, I paid everything. I am a little late on the salaries, but we are talking to the lads, they care about the club.”
Ferrero was forced to step down as President when he was arrested for fraudulent bankruptcy of some of his other business interests in December 2021.
However, he has remained the owner and steadfastly refused to accept any of the offers made to take over the club, including one months in the making from Merlyn Partners.
“Some say I am keeping Sampdoria hostage, but that is not true, if there is a buyer then I am ready to sell. They talk of Merrill Lynch and Barbaba, but he just wanted to put in €30m and then empty Sampdoria out.
“This board of directors has been in charge for a year and a half and I don’t get involved, but I am at their disposal. There is too much negativity around Sampdoria, we need more positivity from the club, the media and fans. Enough talking about points penalties, bankruptcy and wages.”