Fancy buying Sampdoria football club? A short guide to the Italian insolvency process & FIGC rules

The Italian football club U.C. SAMPDORIA S.p.A. (Sampdoria) is on sale and time is running out.1

Rumour has it that the deadline for the current protection against insolvency pending tentative arrangement with creditors ("composizione negoziata della crisi") will expire in early May, following which, Sampdoria might have no choice but to declare itself insolvent. That could be, however, a strategic option for its "survival".

An investor interested in seizing the opportunity to own the Blucerchiati should then tread carefully between the insolvency procedure and Italian football rules.

This article gives a overview of the interplay between insolvency rules and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) regulations – a difficult but potentially rewarding ride to acquire:

1. the football club, from a Court-appointed receiver and

2. the entitlement to participate in the (sadly but almost certain as we write) Serie B championship, from the FIGC.

First and foremost, the brave investor should be guided by lawyers specialising in insolvency law and sports regulations and (disclaimer) not just rely on the following summary notes.