The 2014/15 Calcio Saga

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

This is the country that produced Berlusconi, who once called Obama a "pretty tan guy"

farfan wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

This is the country that produced Berlusconi, who once called Obama a "pretty tan guy"

it's also the country that produced 60% of argentinians

The Italian Football Federation will today vote in their next President and it is widely believed it will be Carlo Tavecchio.

The 71-year-old has returned to being the overwhelming favourite to succeed Giancarlo Abete in the post, despite recent weeks seeing controversy surround his candidacy following racist remarks made.

Whilst a majority of Serie A appeared to have pulled support for the current LND Amateur League President, the weekend saw a select few return to backing him.

With a majority of the top flight, Serie B, Lega Pro and the Amateur League all set to vote now for Tavecchio, he is widely seen as holding a majority vote against other candidate Demetrio Albertini.

Today’s election is held at a hotel at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and will see a total of 278 delegates split across Serie A, Serie B, Lega Pro, the Amateur League, Players’ Association, Coaches’ Association and Referees’ Association, hear from both Tavecchio and Albertini before taking part in a potential three rounds of voting until a majority winner is clear.

Carlo Tavecchio’s FIGC election seems inevitable and he urged everyone to “work together to reform Italian football.”

The controversial figure has enough votes to win the election as Federation President tomorrow, beating Demetrio Albertini.

Despite making racist comments in his presentation speech two weeks ago, most of Serie A, Serie B, Lega Pro and the LND amateur league are backing him.

“In recent days I sat in silence and with the utmost respect to watch the declarations, more or less official,” said Tavecchio.

“That all distracted from the real priorities that Italian football have today. We need concrete commitments for youth sectors, sporting infrastructure, Federation academies, the reform of the Leagues and the rules of governance.

“These issues have to be followed up without further delay. It will only be possible to reform Italian football if everyone works together.

“My programme is based on the realisation of common objectives and the work we can do together.”

The Players’ Association, Coaches’ Association and Referees’ Association all support Albertini’s candidacy.

Juventus, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Torino, Empoli and Cagliari signed a paper urging both candidates to step aside and re-set the election.

Cesena had joined them, but back-tracked this afternoon.

Demetrio Albertini has reflected on his objective for today’s FIGC vote, insisting he has offered clubs the chance of change.

The former Milan midfielder and FIGC Vice-President is up against overwhelming favourite Carlo Tavecchio in today’s vote in Rome to succeed Giancarlo Abete as Federation President.

“I have issued a challenge based on ideas. I have made myself available, offering an opportunity for change,” Albertini has told reporters today in the capital.

“The objectives for today? To exhibit during my speech the sporting project that is the basis of my proposal.

“I care about the development of young people, I hope that clubs think as we do and we believe that we can produce a project all united.”

Speculation is that once Tavecchio wins, he will approach Antonio Conte to take over as Italy CT.

“We will think about this after the election,” Albertini responded.

Di Marzio wrote:Roma become more American. The club announced that Unicredit sold its share to Pallotta’s holding. Here’s the statement: “UniCredit S.p.A., AS Roma SPV, LLC, and Raptor Holdco LLC, an affiliate of AS Roma SPV, LLC, inform that on the date hereof they have entered into a Share Purchase Agreement by which UniCredit S.p.A. transferred to AS Roma SPV, LLC its entire participation held in the capital stock of NEEP Roma Holding S.p.A. (the controlling company of A.S. Roma S.p.A.) for consideration in the amount of €33,000,000, which has been paid in full at the closing of the transaction. As a consequence of such sale AS Roma SPV, LLC increases its interest in NEEP Roma Holding S.p.A., directly and indirectly via Raptor Holdco LLC, to 100% of the stock capital of NEEP Roma Holding S.p.A. In the same context UniCredit S.p.A., AS Roma SPV, LLC and Raptor Holdco LLC terminated the shareholders agreement related to NEEP Roma Holding S.p.A. entered into on 18 August 2011 and subsequently amended and integrated (also by means of the accession of Raptor Holdco LLC) on 1 August 2013.”

McLewis wrote:Calcio taking another step backward with Tavecchio's election.

The clubs that voted for him are a disgrace. Full Stop.