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The new president of "Parma" club, businessman Tommaso Ghirardi, who is rumored to have paid about 32 million euros at auction for a "Serie A" underdog.
The 31-year-old T. Ghirardi, who also owns the fourth division club "Carpenedolo," stated that he was convinced to buy the club by current "Fiorentina" and former "Parma" coach Cesare Prandelli, expressing his joy in his new acquisition.
"I am very excited. I want to emphasize that I came here for sporting reasons and I want to perform well. In the Parma club, we have everything to participate in clean football. We can calmly create financial plans for the future, and implement a sports project. I want to bring positive aspects of lower levels to "Serie A,"" - said the businessman.
The sale of the club was announced by former administrator Enrico Bondi, who stated that "Football club "Parma" is now in the hands of three musketeers." The new president appointed T. Ghirardi, while former rally driver Angelo Medeghini became vice president and the president of "Del Monte" bank Alberto Guareschi was given the honorary position of president in the club.
In the last decade, the former 2003 financial crisis hit the Italian football elite after the bankruptcy of the "Parmalat" conglomerate that was in charge. Since then the club was managed by a temporary administration, and in the middle of 2005 the former president of Madrid's "Real," Lorenzo Sanzas, tried to buy the club, but he did not pay the full price and the deal failed.
"Parma," with 15 points in the Italian "Serie A" championship, occupies the third place from the bottom and fights to stay in the league. This weekend, in the 21st round of matches, "Parma" will meet with the "Milan" club away.
