Pietro Leonardi says he expects Parma to pay outstanding player wages by Monday, but is stepping down from the board.
The director general called a Press conference for this afternoon, and has adressed the situation which sees the Ducali adrift at the bottom of Serie A and facing administration, and steps down as CEO after health issues.
Pietro Leonardi says he expects Parma to pay outstanding player wages by Monday, but is stepping down from the board.
The director general called a Press conference for this afternoon, and has adressed the situation which sees the Ducali adrift at the bottom of Serie A and facing administration, and steps down as CEO after health issues.
The Emilian side will face administration if they fail to pay player wages by Monday.
“I have resigned from the board, and from anything related,” Leonardi announced.
“I have always worked with the consensus of whoever has taken over, and from now on I will remain available to the new owners with the clear role of general manager.
“I’ll handle everything on the sporting side, as I had done in previous years with the consent of the club.
“I’ve heard so many assumptions and insinuations on how we’ve come to this situation, for example that we had bought 160-170 players.
“Out of this policy came a number of good players, which made the club better – I’m thinking of [Nicola] Sansone, [Gabriel] Paletta, [Luca] Ceppitelli and others.
“The budget under my administration has always been positive, I want to clarify that.
“I’m convinced that I’ve done well for this club, so I have no fear. I just want to keep this club going. On the 16th maybe we’ll have to take a point deduction, but that’s not the end and I hope it doesn’t happen.
“I think the club is still manageable, I don’t regret anything. Football clubs that make a profit are few and far between, most are run with debt.
“The new owners have assured that the financial problems will be solved. I can’t say anything other than that I believe with all my heart that by the 16th things will be fixed, and then the company will be run at a competitive level, but probably not in the same division.
“I can’t imagine that these people would do what they’ve done in the last five days and then not follow it up.
“If two groups, one after the other, buy the club it’s clear they’ve looked at the numbers. They’ve studied it, and pressed ahead, I think the more important thing is what happens in the next few seasons.
There are clubs which have shut down with debt situations even higher than Parma’s. I believe that with the new owners the situation is absolutely manageable.”
Leonardi also criticised the FIGC for not granting Parma a licence to play in the Europa League, saying it would have allowed them to pay their debts.
“Did it affect us? A lot, as well as the non-sale of [Jonathan] Biabiany [to Inter].
“This would have enabled them to pay what they owed in November, as well as paying the players. The sale of the club has been made to provide it with the cash it needs.
“We should reflect on the exaggerated wrongs which have been done to Parma from last year.”
Finally, Leonardi looked to assuage fears that the situations could lead to match-fixing, and says the club will not fold.
“I have heard some people expressing fear over the reguarity of the league and knowing our Coach and and players: our reliability is not in doubt.” Leonardi insisted.
“Maybe you should look at some proceedings which concluded a few days ago and had nothing to do with Parma, nothing.
“The idea of giving everything up is wrong, the community should stick to the idea of continuing.
“We have to involve everyone, I’ve even called the Mayor who is serious and helpful.
“Some have told him that it would be better for us to go under, I’ve tried to explain to him that this is not the best solution.
“The new owners have given me more confidence in the stability of the club and its ability to continue.”