Napoli have issued a strongly-worded statement after president Aurelio De Laurentiis and his son Luigi were placed under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bari for alleged false accounting and fraudulent bankruptcy linked to their former ownership of SSC Bari.
The investigation, which came to light on Tuesday, reportedly centres on the financial management of the Bari club during the De Laurentiis family’s tenure from 2014 to 2018. It is alleged that the club’s accounts were manipulated and that assets were stripped before the club was sold, ultimately leading to a bankruptcy filing.
In a statement released through Napoli, the De Laurentiis camp expressed disbelief at the development, insisting they had always acted within the law and in the best interests of the Puglian side.
“We are astonished by the news of an investigation involving President Aurelio De Laurentiis and Luigi De Laurentiis related to their time at Bari. We have the utmost respect for the judiciary, but we firmly believe that all our actions were transparent and aimed solely at safeguarding the club. We hope that these proceedings will be dismissed as soon as the facts are fully examined.”
Background of the investigation
The probe reportedly focuses on the period between 2015 and 2018, when the De Laurentiis family controlled Bari through a holding company. Italian media reports suggest that investigators are examining a series of financial transactions totalling several million euros, which may have artificially inflated the club’s debts to the detriment of creditors. The alleged offences include false accounting, misuse of corporate assets, and fraudulent bankruptcy.
Aurelio De Laurentiis, the flamboyant film producer who has been at the helm of Napoli since 2004, purchased Bari out of bankruptcy in 2014 with a promise to restore the fallen southern giant to its former glory. However, the project unravelled, and the club was sold to a Malaysian consortium in 2018 for a reported €1, before eventually being declared bankrupt again in 2020.
Napoli’s firm defence
The official statement from the Serie A leaders went on to stress that neither Aurelio nor Luigi De Laurentiis had ever been formally notified of any wrongdoing and that they would cooperate fully with the authorities. “Our president has always conducted his business with honesty and integrity,” the statement read. “We are confident that this misunderstanding will be cleared up without any stain on our reputation.”
Luigi De Laurentiis, who served as president of Bari during the family’s ownership, is also under investigation. The younger De Laurentiis has since distanced himself from the football world, focusing on other business ventures.
A saga of broken dreams
The De Laurentiis era at Bari remains a painful chapter for supporters. Despite initial optimism and investment in infrastructure, the team struggled on the pitch, suffering relegation to Serie C in 2016. The club’s financial problems mounted, and the controversial sale in 2018 left fans feeling betrayed. Many now view the investigation as a long-overdue reckoning.
While the De Laurentiis family’s legacy at Napoli is one of remarkable success—including a long-awaited Serie A title in 2023—their connection to Bari’s demise casts a shadow over that achievement. For now, all eyes remain on the Bari court, where a decision on whether to proceed with charges could still take months.
Key Takeaways
- Aurelio and Luigi De Laurentiis are under investigation for alleged false accounting and fraudulent bankruptcy at their former club Bari.
- Napoli have released a statement expressing “astonishment” and hoping the proceedings will be dismissed.
- The investigation centres on financial irregularities during the De Laurentiis family’s ownership of Bari from 2014 to 2018.
- The De Laurentiis camp insists all actions were transparent and in the club’s best interests.
- The case adds another layer to the complex saga of Bari’s financial troubles post-2018.
Quick Facts
Who is involved? Aurelio De Laurentiis (Napoli president), Luigi De Laurentiis (his son, former Bari president)
What is alleged? False accounting, fraudulent bankruptcy, and misuse of corporate assets during their time at Bari
When did they own Bari? 2014–2018
How did Napoli respond? Issued a statement calling the investigation “astonishing” and hoping for dismissal
What happens next? The Bari Prosecutor’s Office will decide whether to press charges; the De Laurentiis family pledges full cooperation