While Catanzaro fans enthusiastically await the arrival of Alberto Aquilani as the new coach, a cloud gathers on the horizon. The Portuguese judiciary suspects that the former footballer has evaded taxes during his time playing for Sporting Lisbon in the 2015-2016 season. For this reason, the Portuguese authorities requested the collaboration of the Italian ones to conduct some bank checks regarding the payment of his salary.
Aquilani: The Portuguese judiciary’s suspicion
As reported by La Repubblica in yesterday’s online edition, part of Aquilani’s compensation was paid in a non-transparent manner through a company linked to his family. This ploy would have allowed to reduce the tax burden, camouflaging the real value of the salary. Investigators suspect that almost 600,000 euros were paid to this company as an “intermediation transaction” for the transfer of the player. However, Aquilani was a free agent and therefore free to move without the need for intermediaries.
Tax implications and investigations
Lusitanian investigators believe that this sum could have been a way to guarantee Aquilani a part of the “hidden” salary, benefiting from lighter taxation than that applied to the players’ regular contracts. The Portuguese judiciary has issued a rogatory, now in the hands of the Rome prosecutor’s office and the public prosecutor Francesco Basentini. They will have to determine whether that money actually ended up in Aquilani’s possession.
The hopes of Catanzaro and its fans
The news of this investigation comes at a crucial time for Catanzaro, who have banked on Aquilani to lead the team next season. It is hoped that this legal matter will be resolved by demonstrating that the coach was not involved in the disputed facts and that it will not negatively influence his arrival on the Giallorossi bench and that he can begin his new role without further impediments.
The importance of Alberto Aquilani for Catanzaro
Aquilani, former midfielder for Roma, Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Pescara, Sassuolo and Las Palmas, was chosen by Catanzaro for his promising career as a coach. Despite the current concerns, the club and fans remain confident that the matter will be resolved without compromising the team’s sporting future.
