1/05/03 10:56
President Ugo Longo claims that Lazio will be under new ownership within
two months, potentially with Roberto Mancini given a wider role.
“I am merely guiding the club to the end of this season,” noted the lawyer
who has taken over from Sergio Cragnotti.
“Within two months I expect we will have a new group of shareholders. Now
we must name a director and move to increase the club’s capital. The players
will be paid and no-one will leave the squad.”
The Biancocelesti were plunged into financial chaos last month when
Cragnotti’s food group Cirio – who are also majority shareholders in the
club – was unable to pay off a bank loan.
Several investment banks, led by Capitalia, agreed to pay off Lazio’s debts
in exchange for the resignation of Cragnotti and his children Massimo and
Elisabetta – who also held positions in the Board of Directors.
￡10m must be found within the next three weeks if the outstanding wages
stretching back to mid-July are to be paid.
Twenty-two players have started legal action to recoup the money or tear up
their contracts and join other sides on a free transfer.
The money should arrive soon as pay-per-view television company Stream has
agreed to pay ￡16.6m for television rights in advance.
“We need calm and stability in order to continue along this successful path
the team is on,” continued Longo.
“Cragnotti’s gesture of stepping aside was prompted by his desire to do
what was right for Lazio. I will do my best in a position I am unaccustomed
to.”
Longo is a successful lawyer and close collaborator to Cragnotti and the
Lazio staff. He played a strong part in the legal action regarding Juan
Sebastian Veron’s false passport papers, a battle won by the club as all
charges were dropped.
A new Board of Directors will be named on January 8 and two names have
already circulated with some foundation.
“I read that current Parma director Luca Baraldi is in the frame,” noted
President Longo. “I can only say he is an excellent professional who is
certainly up to the task.”
Even Coach Roberto Mancini has been suggested as a member of the Board,
similar to Sir Alex Ferguson’s situation at Manchester United.
“Mancini would be an intelligent choice, and one that must be given careful
consideration,” added Longo.
Longo’s closing thoughts were for Cragnotti and his eleven years in charge
of the Roman club.
“Cragnotti has no blame in this situation. He did much for Lazio, taking
them to the top of Italian and European football. He was just unlucky to be
caught up in the financial crisis currently affecting the sport.”
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