Italian court dismisses case against Napoli over Osimhen’s transfer
Among the transfers under the spotlight were Victor Osimhen to Napoli and the Arthur Melo-Miralem Pjanic exchange with Barcelona
In a sensational twist, all 11 clubs and 59 individuals in the trial over perceived inflated transfer fees to boost capital gains, including Juventus, Napoli, Genoa and Sampdoria, have been cleared.
The FIGC had been hoping to get a verdict by mid-May, before the end of the season, with likely only fines rather than docked points or even relegation.
However, in a shocking turning point, all of those who were charged have been cleared in the first trial.
Among the transfers under the spotlight were Victor Osimhen to Napoli and the Arthur Melo-Miralem Pjanic exchange with Barcelona.
The 11 clubs deferred to the disciplinary commission were Juventus, Napoli, Sampdoria, Genoa, Empoli, Pro Vercelli, Parma, Pisa, Chievo, Novara and Pescara.
The FIGC Prosecutor had tried to charge 59 directors, demanding a year-long ban for Juventus President Andrea Agnelli and Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis.
All of these have now been dropped, as the judges agreed with the version put forward by the clubs that the FIGC did not have the right parameters or ability to evaluate the true transfer worth of a player.
The basis for the entire trial was therefore considered flawed and essentially thrown out of court.
The case was brought forward in the so-called ‘Plusvalenze’ scandal – boosting transfer fees in exchange deals to make it look as if clubs were moving around much larger assets, therefore helping to balance the books.
