51% of the shares are in the hands of the fans united in an association, 49% of the entrepreneurs-founders who, in intention, will start the project by taking over the club from the current owner and then giving the majority to the people. And then, again, a board of directors made up of 11 members, five of whom are appointed by the entrepreneur-founders and six, including the president, by the fan-members. This, in a nutshell, is “Livorno is us”, the project headed by Andrea Locatelli aimed, in the intentions, at taking over the Unione Sportiva Livorno 1915, today in the hands of the Brazilian financier Joel Esciua. And during the evening of presentation of the initiative at Goldoni, hosted by Gianni Tacchi, Locatelli himself did not fail to sting the current amaranth patron, who, in a statement, had claimed that he had never been contacted by the other party and that have not yet received any formal offer. Purchase proposal which was made just yesterday, Wednesday 22 May, and set at 600 thousand euros, with the amount deposited by a notary as early as 20 May: “A correct and elegant offer”, said Locatelli, who then underlined how the project is aimed only at the acquisition of Us Livorno 1915, excluding any other possible alternative solution.
Locatelli: “Sense of belonging and fans at the centre, this is how we take inspiration from the German model”
“I am proud to be here to be able to present this project – declared Andrea Locatelli -. I am very attached to this city because I was born there. I haven’t lived there long, but I often come here and I feel like one of you. I have a strong connection with the Livorno area and I feel a deep connection with these colours, also for family reasons. All this convinced me to propose this project, which in my opinion can be realized right here: Livorno, in many circumstances, was in fact the first and perhaps the first. this too could be a right opportunity. Our project – he underlined – is aimed only at the acquisition of Us Livorno 1915, there are no different or alternative solutions”.
“The sense of belonging is the greatest resource of this city and of this square – he added -. The way of playing football with the father-master today presents many critical issues and keeps many resources away from football. We, however, want to try to channel these resources in a positive sense. Our model is the German one, in which 51% of the shares, by law, belong to the fans, 49%, however, will belong to entrepreneurs-founders who will start the project by taking over the club from the club. the current owner. There are already eight entrepreneurs who have signed up, there is already expressed availability for a further eight and we are in the process of collecting further expressions of interest”.
“The board of directors – explained Locatelli – will be made up of eleven members, of which five nominated by the founder-entrepreneurs and six, including the president, by the fans. There will also be various committees that will deal with various aspects such as the youth sector, events, relations with institutions and more. As regards the purchase of shares, we have thought of three levels: 200 euros, with the figure which will then be significantly lower in the second year, 500 and 1000 euros take advantage of some benefits, such as a reduction on the cost of the subscription”
“I’m not used to forms of spectacularisation – he continued -, but when I heard myself told that I had never tried to establish contact with the other party, I had to do so (he stated while, in the background, screenshots of messages and calls to Esciua without answer). It takes two to establish contact. The offer (of 600 thousand euros and which will be valid until May 31st ed) has already been there and is more than dignified and elegant: we based ourselves on a value that was given last year by the same company”.
“When projects are presented – Locatelli finally explained – the risk is that of being romantic, expressing anachronistic dreams. This is not the case: we risk being the first on a topic that is of interest to the entire parliament. We are not out time, indeed: we are in the right time to make it happen and to boast of being the first. The question of the brand is a delicate issue. Us Livorno 1915 has always been the name of this team and it must remain so followed, but which concerns the relationship between the Magnozzi club and the current club. We hope – he concluded – that this affair can be concluded with respect for positions and traditions”.
Giovannini: “Excellent sensations, I’m willing to wait for Livorno”
“The project illustrated and being sought out by people like Lucarelli and Protti pushed me to say yes – declared sporting director Paolo Giovannini, ready to join the company in the event of a positive outcome of the Locatelli operation -. The feeling about this initiative is very positive Time is important for me, but if I have to wait twenty days to get here and win my fifth D championship in Livorno I can wait. Here the only thing that counts is finishing first and I will possibly have only one year of contract: in this case If I didn’t win it would be right for me to go home.”
Protti and Lucarelli: “Fans are the essence of football, Livorno is the right city for this project”
During the evening there were also other interventions, starting with the one, via video, by Igor Protti: “‘Livorno is us’ is a chant that we have often heard and it really is like this: the fans are the essence of football If this project is successful, I will be present as a shareholder.” Cristiano Lucarelli was also on the same wavelength, taking the stage directly: “Livorno is the Italian city par excellence in which to kick off this project. I am convinced that this will be an example that will be followed by many other teams. A possible no it won’t be a no to Locatelli, but it will be a no to the city of Livorno and the Livorno fans.”
The North Curve: “A challenge, ready to approve the project”
Positive opinion also from the Curva Nord, represented on stage by Lenny Bottai and Massimiliano Frasca after the intervention of the historic fan Antonella Romanacci: “The Curva can only approve a project like this: it is a great challenge, but in Livorno we love the Let’s hope that whoever took over Livorno, destroying the bond between the fans and football, can leave: we underline that it’s not that some of the president’s things weren’t right with the curve, it was the president who didn’t like some things about the curve, it’s different. And now it’s time for him to be kindly shown to the door.”
