A high-profile football transfer, initially deemed settled, has resurfaced with troubling allegations of financial irregularities. The 2020 move of Nigerian star Victor Osimhen from French club Lille to Italian giants Napoli is once again under intense scrutiny, with recently leaked communications painting a vivid picture of alleged accounting acrobatics.
The Whispers of Financial Engineering
At the heart of the renewed controversy is the audacious €70 million valuation of Osimhen`s transfer. Prosecutors allege that to reach this significant figure, Napoli orchestrated a cunning plan: the inclusion of four players – goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, and three young talents Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, and Ciro Palmieri – who were collectively valued at an astonishing €20 million. The kicker? These players were reportedly immediately shunted off to lower-division Italian clubs, with some never even setting foot in France. One might wonder if their travel bags were perpetually packed, awaiting a phantom flight.
This elaborate scheme, according to investigative documents, served to inflate the transfer fee on paper, creating what is known in financial circles as “false accounting.” Such practices, while perhaps a staple of creative bookkeeping in certain industries, are a significant breach of financial fair play regulations and, more gravely, can constitute a criminal offense.
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: The Intercepted Dialogues
The most compelling evidence, and arguably the most revealing, comes from intercepted chats between key Napoli executives. Repubblica, an Italian daily, brought to light conversations involving Napoli`s then-sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, his deputy Giuseppe Pompilio, and CEO Andrea Chiavelli. These exchanges, dating back to July 2020, offer a glimpse into the discussions surrounding the controversial deal.
One particularly memorable quip attributed to CEO Chiavelli captures the apparent casualness with which such serious financial maneuvers were discussed: “Let`s hope they refuse… otherwise we`ll have to resort to robbery.” A jest, perhaps, but one that now resonates with an unsettling undertone.
Another exchange saw Giuntoli expressing a desire for Lille to reject the proposed terms, stating, “I`m holding back… in fact, he told me to send it, hoping they don`t accept. I need to speak with Aurelio. What a terrorist.” To which Pompilio, perhaps a seasoned veteran of football`s opaque dealings, cautioned, “You mustn`t write anything… Say whatever you like verbally.” A candid admission, if ever there was one, on the virtues of plausible deniability. One can almost picture the knowing nods across virtual desks.
Victor Osimhen, whose transfer from Lille to Napoli is now under renewed scrutiny.
Lille`s Internal Alarm Bells
The skepticism wasn`t confined to Napoli`s internal discussions. The investigative report also revealed a warning from within Lille`s ranks. Julien Mordacq, the French club`s administrative and legal director at the time, explicitly cautioned the then-CEO Marc Ingla about the “risks associated with this deal.” He highlighted elements deemed “strange” concerning the agreements for the five players, emphasizing the need for “real answers and justifications.” It seems even those on the receiving end of Napoli`s generous valuations had their eyebrows raised.
Legal Labyrinth: Sporting Clearance vs. Criminal Charges
Adding another layer of complexity to this narrative is the divergent paths taken by sporting and criminal authorities. In 2022, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reviewed the Osimhen case and ultimately archived it from a sporting perspective, finding no actionable wrongdoing under their purview. However, criminal prosecutors in Italy appear to hold a different view.
Public prosecutors Lorenzo del Giudice and Giorgio Orano have formally requested an indictment for Napoli`s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, and CEO Andrea Chiavelli on charges of false accounting. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 6, which could determine if the case proceeds to a full trial. This disparity underscores the often-tenuous relationship between football`s self-regulatory bodies and the broader legal system.
Napoli`s Defense: A `Normal Dynamic`?
Napoli`s legal team has robustly defended the club`s actions, characterizing the deal as a “normal dynamic of a negotiation linked to the buying and selling of footballers, physiological in the sector and devoid of criminally relevant profiles.” They further argue that the leaked phrases have been “extrapolated from a much broader dialectical context,” and that a full, objective consideration would reveal their true, innocuous meaning. The club`s lawyers also expressed “amazement” at the leaking of confidential investigative documents, decrying it as a violation of privacy and defense rights.
While such defenses are common in legal battles, the juxtaposition of “normal dynamic” against phrases like “resort to robbery” and “terrorist” creates a rather ironic dissonance that the public and legal system will undoubtedly ponder.
Broader Implications for Football`s Financial Integrity
The Osimhen case is more than just a saga involving two clubs and a star player; it`s a stark reminder of the persistent challenges facing financial transparency in football. As transfer fees continue to skyrocket, the temptation for clubs to engage in creative accounting to balance books, meet financial fair play requirements, or simply present a more favorable financial outlook remains high.
This case, like others before it, highlights the intricate dance between audacious valuations and regulatory oversight. It reinforces the ongoing need for robust scrutiny to ensure that the beautiful game`s financial foundations are built on solid ground, rather than on the shifting sands of inflated figures and phantom players. The outcome of the upcoming legal proceedings will undoubtedly send ripples through the world of football finance, potentially setting precedents for future transfer dealings.
