Italian prosecutors have intensified their legal pursuit of Napoli and club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, pushing for a criminal trial over alleged false accounting related to transfer dealings.
At the heart of the investigation is Napoli’s €70 million signing of Victor Osimhen from Lille in 2020, a transfer previously cleared by Italian football authorities but now under renewed scrutiny.
Prosecutors Push for Trial Over Alleged Financial Misconduct
On Wednesday 19th February, prosecutors in Rome formally requested a trial for Napoli, De Laurentiis, and club director Andrea Chiavelli. The case focuses on Napoli’s financial activities between 2019 and 2021, including transfers such as Kostas Manolas from Roma and, most notably, Osimhen’s high-profile move from Lille.
Why Is Osimhen’s Transfer Under Investigation?
The deal included four Napoli players moving to Lille, valued at around €20 million. However, three of those players never played for Lille, raising concerns over potential false accounting practices. Despite the renewed investigation, Napoli’s legal team remains confident, calling the trial request “incomprehensible” and citing previous independent financial assessments that confirmed the legitimacy of the transactions.
Osimhen’s Role in Napoli’s Success and Controversial Exit
Osimhen was a key figure in Napoli’s historic Serie A title win in 2023, their first since Diego Maradona’s era. The Nigerian striker scored 26 goals, helping the club dominate alongside breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, Osimhen’s future took a turn after he openly expressed a desire to play in the English Premier League. After failing to secure a transfer, he was banished from the first team and later loaned to Galatasaray in September 2023.
FIGC Clearance vs. Fresh Criminal Allegations
Napoli was previously cleared by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in April 2022, with all defendants acquitted. The case, however, raised broader concerns about financial mismanagement in Italian football. In 2023, Juventus was penalized with a 10-point deduction for similar accounting violations.
A source close to Napoli has downplayed the latest allegations, stating that documents cited by prosecutors were already reviewed and deemed non-incriminating by the FIGC.
What’s Next for Napoli?
Napoli’s legal team insists the case has no merit, but if the trial proceeds, it could have serious implications for the club and its leadership. With Osimhen’s future uncertain, Napoli faces not just legal troubles but also challenges on the pitch as they try to rebuild.
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