Once, legends like Pep Guardiola or Roberto Baggio played for Brescia Calcio. Now, the 114-year history is on the verge of extinction. The person responsible is quickly found.
“Here, you’ve become accustomed to mediocrity,” businessman Massimo Cellino proclaimed when he introduced himself to journalists upon buying the Italian second-division club Brescia Calcio in 2017.
But instead of sustainably advancing and developing the club out of mediocrity, the 68-year-old entrepreneur has driven the traditional club to ruin.
Roberto Baggio (l.) and Luca Toni played together for Brescia in the early 2000s.
“If nothing unforeseen happens, Cellino will leave a trail of devastation and wipe out 114 years of history in one fell swoop,” wrote the Gazzetta dello Sport.
The club from Lombardy is on the verge of bankruptcy. A new investor is not in sight. In addition, Brescia is likely to be relegated from Serie B, which is also the responsibility of the owner and president.
Relegation and Insolvency: Is Cellino to Blame?
From a purely sporting perspective, the Biancazzurri would have saved themselves, but due to a dubious loan and non-existent tax credits related to a Cellino company, there was a four-point penalty, which caused the club to slip into a direct relegation spot.
The entire bottom of the table was turned upside down, and the Italian press wrote of an “earthquake.”
However, the last word has not yet been spoken because Brescia will appeal to the Federal Court on June 10. Incidentally, the court’s decision is that Brescia will be imposed a deduction of eight points – four of which will be deducted from the account next season.
But as if relegation weren’t enough, the first insolvency in the 114-year history of the club is also looming.
Three million euros would be needed to pay off the debts. On Thursday, Cellino had already confirmed that he would not pay the debts – and he kept his word to the dismay of the fans.
The salaries for the last two months should have been paid by Friday at 3 p.m., but he let the deadline pass.
“The president himself pulled the plug,” wrote the Gazzetta. “The anger in an incredulous city is great.”
A piece of football history is about to be wiped out. World champions such as Roberto Baggio, Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Altobelli and later Bayern striker Luca Toni once played for Brescia.
Pep Guardiola as an active player at Brescia Calcio
Football legend Gheorghe Hagi came from Real Madrid in the 90s and was sold to Barcelona. At the beginning of the 2000s, Pep Guardiola came from Barca to the Biancazzurri.
In view of the precarious situation, captain Dimitri Bisoli addressed the public on Friday with a clear statement.
“Today, 114 years of history have been trampled underfoot, but Brescia is not him, Brescia is us, and therefore Brescia will never die,” the 31-year-old affirmed on social networks. “On the contrary, I am sure that it will rise again stronger than before.”
But nobody knows exactly how things will continue. “Local politics is also wondering what to do,” according to the Gazzetta. Mayor Laura Castelletti is said to be discussing the matter with local professional clubs, and sports law experts have also been called in.
“Since there is no indication that the necessary requirements will be met, the municipality has decided to intervene in order to protect the continuity of football in Brescia and the sporting, social and identity-forming value it represents,” according to an official statement.
A solution is to be found by June 26. Then it will be clear whether Brescia will be allowed to start in Serie C or will be excluded.
Until then, the municipality wants to serve as a mediator and “support a path with the means at its disposal that preserves the football identity of Brescia in a legal, transparent and constructive manner.”