Bologna set for takeover, bankruptcy threat fades

Massimo Zanetti, boss of coffee brand Segafredo, is poised to save Bologna from bankruptcy by purchasing a 100 percent stake in the Italian club, chief executive Silvino Marras announced on Thursday.

The board of directors will meet to approve the deal on Friday.

The fee has not been disclosed.

Bologna were on the brink of bankruptcy and had not paid their players for four months, potentially leaving them free to sign for other clubs.

They have already been docked a point in Serie A for failing to pay tax on their players’ salaries and risk losing another two points for not paying their players.

Bologna president Sergio Porcedda, who has owned an 80 percent stake in the club since July, and Marras were suspended from their roles for six months by the Italian Football Federation earlier this month.

Bologna are currently 14th in the Italian top flight, four points above the relegation places.