Cellino plans appeal after Brescia liquidation redirects Tonali transfer funds to FIFA
The €4 million solidarity payment Brescia expected from Sandro Tonali’s move to Tottenham will now go to a FIFA fund, and owner Massimo Cellino intends to challenge the court’s liquidation ruling.
Brescia Calcio’s anticipated €4 million payout from the FIFA solidarity mechanism tied to Sandro Tonali’s transfer to Tottenham Hotspur will instead be allocated to a FIFA-run fund after the club’s liquidation. The payment originated because Brescia helped develop the midfielder, granting it a share of the transfer fee. Owner Massimo Cellino re-registered the club, even fielding an Under-16 side, to preserve eligibility for the money.
On 28 July, the Tribunale di Brescia declared the club insolvent, citing missed financial deadlines and roughly €20 million in debt, effectively ending its 114-year existence. Cellino announced he will appeal the ruling, arguing that a misreading of the case and a communication lapse have caused undue harm to creditors. He expressed hope the decision can be reversed, emphasizing the need to protect the club’s financial interests.
Why it matters
The case highlights how club bankruptcies can affect player transfer finances and raises questions about legal handling of football entities.
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