SSC Napoli and president Aurelio De Laurentiis are under investigation by the Bari Public Prosecutor’s Office over allegations of fraudulent bankruptcy related to the transfer of goalkeeper Camillo Caprile. The club released a statement describing themselves as “dumbfounded” by the charges, asserting that Caprile’s market value was determined by an independent third party.
The investigation centers on the financial maneuvers surrounding the player’s movement between Napoli and Bari. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Mattino, the probe examines whether the valuation of the player was artificially inflated to balance books or hide losses, a practice that could lead to charges of fraudulent bankruptcy.
The Dispute Over Camillo Caprile’s Valuation
At the heart of the legal conflict is a technical appraisal of Camillo Caprile. The Bari Public Prosecutor’s Office has obtained a valuation report conducted by Garzelli. However, La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno reports that this specific appraisal is not a “sworn” document (perizia giurata), which may impact its weight as legal evidence in court.
Napoli’s leadership has pushed back against the notion that the transfer values were manipulated. In an official communication cited by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club stated they are “esterrefatti” (dumbfounded) by the allegations. The club maintains that the financial figures associated with Caprile were not arbitrary but were quantified by a third-party subject to ensure transparency and market accuracy.
FIGC Involvement and the Request for Documents
The legal scrutiny is not limited to the criminal courts in Bari. Sportmediaset reports that the Prosecutor’s Office of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) has formally requested the case files and documentation from the Bari Public Prosecutor’s Office.
This move signals a potential parallel sporting trial. While the Bari investigation focuses on criminal fraudulent bankruptcy, the FIGC typically investigates “administrative irregularities” or “sporting fraud.” If the FIGC finds that the player’s value was manipulated to circumvent financial regulations, Napoli could face sporting sanctions, ranging from fines to points deductions, depending on the severity of the breach.
Implications for Multi-Club Ownership
The fallout from this investigation could extend beyond the balance sheets of a single club. Il Fatto Quotidiano suggests that the outcome of the Bari probe could dictate the future of “multiproprietà” (multi-club ownership) models in Italian football.
The investigation examines how players are moved between affiliated or friendly clubs to create “plusvalenze” (capital gains). If the court determines that these transactions were used to commit bankruptcy fraud, it could lead to stricter regulations or a complete overhaul of how Italian clubs manage player exchanges and valuations across different entities.
While common in football, Italian authorities have recently cracked down on "artificial" plusvalenze—where two clubs agree to trade players at inflated prices to make their financial statements look healthier than they actually are.
Summary of Legal and Sporting Stakes
| Entity | Primary Focus | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Bari Public Prosecutor | Fraudulent Bankruptcy | Criminal charges/fines for executives |
| FIGC Prosecutor | Sporting Regulations | Points deductions or transfer bans |
| SSC Napoli | Defense of Valuation | Reputational risk and financial scrutiny |
The next phase of the process will depend on the FIGC’s review of the Bari documents and whether the prosecution decides to bring formal charges against Aurelio De Laurentiis and other club officials. Napoli continues to maintain that all transactions were conducted according to market standards and verified by external experts.
Follow official updates from the FIGC and the Bari Public Prosecutor’s Office for further developments on this case. Share your thoughts on the impact of valuation probes in football in the comments below.
