‘Manenti didn’t keep promises’

Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli vents his frustration, saying President Giampietro Manenti made false promises.

The Gialloblu defender released an extensive interview yesterday criticising the board of directors for bringing Parma on the verge of bankruptcy and failing to pay their players.

Their game against Udinese, scheduled for yesterday, was also cancelled because of the club's inability to pay their staff.

Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli vents his frustration, saying President Giampietro Manenti made false promises.

The Gialloblu defender released an extensive interview yesterday criticising the board of directors for bringing Parma on the verge of bankruptcy and failing to pay their players.

Their game against Udinese, scheduled for yesterday, was also cancelled because of the club's inability to pay their staff.

Speaking today to Radio Anch'io lo Sport, Lucarelli confirmed that the blame lies with the higher echelons.

“Manenti didn't keep his promises,” said the 37-year-old. “He's losing what faith had been placed in him by the team.

“We'd have been happy to play on Sunday if they'd allowed access to the stadium.

“We showed our dignity on more than one occasion, for instance against Roma,” he said, in reference to the 0-0 draw against the second-placed Giallorossi.

“We want to feel that there is concern over our fate too, and not just the fate of the championship,” went on the defender, echoing some of his former criticisms against the FIGC.

“The football world knew that something wasn't right. Nobody was surprised, and rumours had been circulating even here among us.

“Not playing yesterday made me feel terrible. It was one bitter Sunday.

“In November we understood that something was broken and all the problems we know about were let out of the bag.

“Those who managed the club are responsible for this situation.

“When we were excluded from the Europa League [in favour of Torino, because of financial irregularities], that should have been a signal.

“Someone didn't do their job properly. They should have dug a little deeper in the accounts.

“Having negotiated the transfers of 200 players should also have signalled that something was out of control.

“Now it seems like the only possible outcome is bankruptcy.”

In spite of all this, Lucarelli still seems to look forward to the next game.

“We'll prepare our game against Genoa starting tomorrow.

“Paying for the journey there is not a problem.

“I'd be willing to start again from Serie D for the colours of this club.”