Football transfers are often shrouded in mystery, a complex dance of agents, clubs, and vast sums of money. But what happens when the veil is lifted, revealing candid conversations that hint at more than just shrewd negotiation? The €70 million transfer of Victor Osimhen from Lille to Napoli in 2020 has once again seized headlines, not for the player`s on-pitch prowess, but for the stunning allegations of financial manipulation unearthed by recent judicial investigations.
The Whispers of Inflated Valuations
At the heart of the “Osimhen case” lies the accusation of false accounting, a financial maneuver allegedly undertaken by top executives at Napoli with the reported complicity of Lille. To meet Lille`s formidable asking price of €70 million for the promising striker, a creative solution was seemingly devised. Napoli included four players in the deal: goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, and three young prospects – Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, and Ciro Palmieri. Their collective valuation? A rather substantial €20 million.
The curious aspect, however, is what transpired next. These four players, once part of a multi-million Euro transfer, were reportedly immediately loaned out to lower-tier Italian clubs in Serie C and D. Some, it is claimed, never even set foot in France to join their supposed new team. This raises a pertinent, if somewhat cynical, question: were these players genuinely valued at €20 million, or were they merely instruments to “inflate” the transfer fee on paper, creating valuable capital gains for Napoli?
Behind Closed Doors: The Intercepted Dialogue
The recent revelations, published by *Repubblica*, draw from intercepted communications – chats and messages between then-Napoli Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli, his deputy Giuseppe Pompilio, and Napoli CEO Andrea Chiavelli. These exchanges paint a vivid, if concerning, picture of the discussions surrounding the deal.
Consider the reported remark from CEO Andrea Chiavelli as initial drafts of the agreement were being exchanged: “Let`s hope they refuse… otherwise we`ll have to resort to robbery.” A jest, perhaps, but one that takes on a different hue when viewed through the lens of alleged false accounting. Giuntoli himself expressed anxieties over the club`s budget, lamenting, “This is psychological terrorism.” He even half-jokingly suggested they were “lucky” other transfer targets didn`t pan out, “Otherwise we would have had to play the championship with Petagna,” indicating the budget constraints.
Perhaps most telling, and a testament to the executives` awareness of the delicate nature of their discussions, was deputy Pompilio`s stern advice: “You shouldn`t write anything… Leave no traces in emails. Say whatever you want verbally.” In an era of digital communication, such a directive offers a stark reminder that some conversations are still best kept off the record, or at least, off traceable records.
Lille`s Role and the Internal Warning
The narrative isn`t solely confined to Naples. According to the investigative reports, the former Lille president, Gerard Lopez, allegedly “proposed” the inflation of the deal, explicitly stating this approach would allow Napoli to “pay a lower price than any other club, but with a nominal value that is necessary to close” the transaction. This suggests a mutual understanding, if not a coordinated strategy, between the two clubs.
However, even within Lille, there appears to have been dissent. Julien Mordacq, Lille`s administrative and legal director, reportedly sent a warning to the then-CEO Marc Ingla: “It is my duty to warn you again about the risks associated with this deal, given the elements I verbally explained to you. Any particular element deemed `strange` could generate questions about the entirety of these operations (agreements relating to 5 players) and it will be necessary to provide real answers and justifications.” A prescient warning, given the current judicial scrutiny.
A Tale of Two Judgements: Sports vs. Criminal Law
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Osimhen affair is the divergence in its legal trajectory. From a sporting perspective, the case was considered closed in 2022, with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) having archived it. For many, this might have signaled the end of the matter.
Yet, the criminal justice system has taken a different view. Public prosecutors Lorenzo del Giudice and Giorgio Orano have formally requested the indictment of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and CEO Andrea Chiavelli for false accounting. A preliminary hearing is now set for November 6th. This stark contrast highlights the different thresholds for evidence and criteria for judgment between sports justice and ordinary criminal law, leaving observers to ponder the implications for football`s financial integrity.
Napoli`s Defense: Normal Dynamics and Procedural Concerns
In response to these serious allegations, Napoli`s legal team has expressed “astonishment” at the leaks to the press, arguing that such investigative acts should remain confidential and their publication violates legal prohibitions. They firmly maintain that the intercepted phrases are “extrapolated from a much broader dialectical context” and only when considered in their entirety would their true meaning be understood.
The defense asserts that the situation represents nothing more than “the normal dynamic of a negotiation related to the buying and selling of footballers, physiological in the sector and devoid of criminally relevant profiles.” They also point out that the individuals involved in the conversations have already provided “punctual, clear and convincing explanations” to prosecutors, not as suspects, but as “persons informed of the facts,” suggesting a lack of substantive evidence for criminal intent.
The Unfolding Saga
As the preliminary hearing approaches, the Osimhen transfer saga continues to captivate. It`s a stark reminder that the world of football, for all its on-field drama, is also a complex financial ecosystem, where multi-million Euro deals are subject to intense scrutiny. The outcome of this legal battle will not only determine the fate of Napoli`s executives but could also cast a long shadow over the very nature of transfer dealings in European football, challenging conventional wisdom about “normal” market dynamics and the fine line between shrewd business and illicit practice.
Wesley Dunham