Italian Prosecutors Target Napoli for False Accounting
Italian prosecutors made headlines on Wednesday by calling for Napoli and its owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, to stand trial for alleged false accounting related to player transfers. The club, along with De Laurentiis and one of his key advisors, Andrea Chiavelli, is under suspicion for filing falsified accounts between 2019 and 2021. The investigation primarily focuses on the signings of Kostas Manolas from Roma and Victor Osimhen from Lille. The 70 million-euro deal for Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, has raised eyebrows due to the simultaneous transfer of four players valued at around 20 million euros to Lille, three of whom never even played for the French club. This complex web of transactions has drawn significant scrutiny and may have serious implications for one of Italy’s most successful football clubs.
Napoli’s Legal Stance and Confidence
Napoli and De Laurentiis’ legal team have strongly contested the allegations, deeming the decision to ask for a trial "incomprehensible." They have submitted opinions from consultants and independent bodies that, according to lawyers Fabio Fulgeri and Lorenzo Contrada, demonstrate that Napoli acted within the bounds of Italian accounting principles. The club’s legal representatives are confident that the proceedings will conclude in their favor, emphasizing the legitimacy of their financial practices. A preliminary hearing judge will now have the daunting task of deciding within six months whether the alleged offences are serious enough to warrant a criminal trial, a process that could drag on for years.
Prior Acquittal and Ongoing Controversy
It’s worth noting that the transfers under scrutiny, including Osimhen’s, were previously investigated by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) but ended with all defendants, including Napoli and De Laurentiis, being acquitted in April 2022. However, the probe opened a Pandora’s box, leading to the recent 10-point deduction for Juventus, after the club was found guilty of managing capital gains from transfers to artificially benefit their balance sheet. This came to light due to new evidence from a separate criminal investigation known as "Operation Prism," which is still ongoing. The parallels with the Juventus case and the potential for similar revelations could complicate matters for Napoli.
Osimhen: From Hero to Headache
Victor Osimhen’s move to Napoli in 2020 was initially seen as a coup for the club. He quickly became a fan favorite and a crucial player in Napoli’s thrilling run to their third Serie A title, the first in decades since the era of the legendary Diego Maradona. Teaming up with the breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen scored an impressive 26 times in Serie A that season, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s best strikers. However, his relationship with the club soured quickly. Osimhen publicly expressed his desire to play in the Premier League, and after failing to secure a transfer last summer, he was effectively frozen out of the team. His ignominious loan to Galatasaray in September has further tarnished his legacy at Napoli, adding another layer of controversy to an already contentious transfer.
The Role of Disciplinary Authorities
A source at Napoli has shared that the documents in the prosecutors’ trial request have already been reviewed by the disciplinary authorities at the FIGC, who found them to contain nothing incriminating. This assessment has bolstered the club’s confidence that they will not face penalties from the Italian football federation, even if they are eventually found guilty in criminal courts. The source stated that there is "no chance" of Napoli being penalized by the FIGC, highlighting the club’s belief in the legitimacy of their financial practices and the transparency of their dealings.
Awaiting the Verdict
The coming months will be crucial for Napoli as they await the preliminary hearing judge’s decision on whether to proceed with a criminal trial. The club’s lawyers, Fabio Fulgeri and Lorenzo Contrada, remain steadfast in their belief that the case will be resolved in Napoli’s favor. The broader implications of this investigation extend beyond the club, as it could set a precedent for how transfers and financial practices are scrutinized in Italian football. The outcome will be closely watched by fans, stakeholders, and other football clubs, particularly given the recent high-profile case involving Juventus and the ongoing "Operation Prism."
