Serie A matches to start late in show of support for Parma players
The Italian Players Association has announced that all squads will go out onto the pitch 15 minutes late in the upcoming Serie A round in a show of solidarity for crisis-hit Parma.
Last weekend's home match against Udinese was postponed indefinitely because Parma couldn't afford to pay for security and electricity, and it remains uncertain if the last-place club will be able to travel to Sunday's game at Genoa.
The players have not been paid all season, and a bankruptcy hearing has been set for March 19.
The AIC says there should ''be some serious reflection over the rules for entering leagues,'' and on the financial resources of clubs ''to avoid repeating similar situations at any professional level.''
After the weekend matches, leader Juventus meets second-place Roma on Monday.
Reports surfaced earlier in the week that Parma players were washing their own kits due to the club's financial crisis. "It's today's news," said Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli on Tuesday. "From tomorrow onwards, there will no more laundry service, we will take our kit home to wash."
The ANSA news agency also said that dressing-room furniture, including a bench used by coach Roberto Donadoni, had been put up for auction after being impounded.
Parma are bottom of Serie A with 10 points, are in danger of not finishing the season. Giampietro Manenti, the club's latest president, said next Sunday's match away to Genoa would go ahead and he was certain the club could provide transport for the players. "The team won't have to pay anything," he told Radio Parma.
Lucarelli said the players would travel in their own cars if necessary. "I don't think we have a problem as far as the bus is concerned, but we'll also have to see if the hotel comes through," he added.
Parma have never won the Serie A title but claimed two UEFA Cups, the 1993 European Cup Winners Cup and three Italian Cups in a very successful spell between 1992 and 2002. They finished as Serie A runners-up in 1997 led by current Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"The situation hurts," Crespo told his club's website. "We are in shambles. It's difficult to see this club in this state. If the first team is struggling, you can imagine our situation.
"We don't even have water for training. We are having to take showers with cold water and many times my players have gotten ill."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
