Parma players to wash their own kit

MILAN — Parma players will have to do their own laundry, because of the ongoing financial crisis at the Serie A club, said team captain Alessandro Lucarelli.

The ANSA news agency also said dressing-room furniture, including a bench used by coach Roberto Donadoni, had been put up for auction after being impounded.

“It’s today’s news,” Lucarelli was quoted as saying by the Italian media. “From tomorrow onwards, there will no more laundry service. We will take our kit home to wash.”

Earlier this week, the BBC said the latest report on Parma’s financial health showed the club had a gross debt of €197.4 million (S$301 million) and that the Italian authorities have set the bankruptcy hearing for March 19.

They were barred from playing in the Europa League for failing to meet UEFA’s club licensing criteria because of the unpaid bills.

Various media reports also said former president Tommaso Ghirardi — who in December last year sold Parma to Rezart Taci, who in turn sold the club to current president Giampietro Manenti — has been accused of causing the club’s plight.

Parma are bottom of Serie A with 10 points. The players have not been paid all season and the club are in danger of not finishing the season.

Their match at home to Udinese last Sunday was called off because the club could not afford to pay for stewards or the police.

Manenti said next Sunday’s match away to Genoa would go ahead and that he was certain the club could provide transport for the players.

Lucarelli said the players would travel in their own cars, if necessary.

He said. “I don’t think we have a problem as far as the bus is concerned, but we’ll also have to see if the hotel comes through.”

Parma have never won the Serie A title but claimed two UEFA Cups, the 1993 European Cup Winners Cup and three Italian Cups in a very successful spell between 1992 and 2002. They finished as Serie A runners-up in 1997, led by current Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. AGENCIES