Taranto Calcio can breathe again: it will restart from the Excellence

Taranto will have a new club and will restart the Eccellenza championship with a new entry. The path has been paved, and between today and tomorrow, a public notice will be published to collect expressions of interest pursuant to Article 52, paragraph 10 of the NOIF (Italian Football Federation). Yesterday was a key day. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) informed the municipal administration of the bankruptcy trustee's decision to suspend provisional operations, news that has definitively blocked the path of Taranto FC 1927, on the verge of losing its affiliation and title. It's impossible to imagine registering the team in the Second Category after having repaid approximately €600,000 in sports debts, hence the (wise) decision of the trusteeship to pull back, after being forced into a corner by federation president Gravina.

The city of Taranto could not risk being left without football, and now a new phase begins in the hope that the sporting title will be awarded to an individual or group capable of ensuring a future worthy of the ambitions of the city, one of the most passionate in the South. The (resigning) mayor Bitetti and his closest collaborators are finalizing the details with the FIGC before publishing the notice, which is already ready and only needs to be adjusted based on the Federation's final indications, including regarding the non-repayable grant, which is expected to amount to €250,000. In a matter of hours, the race for the Rossoblu club will begin, apparently the subject of interest from several parties, not only Italian, who have reportedly contacted the City Hall in recent weeks, requesting information, primarily regarding the Iacovone stadium.

There's obviously anticipation to see who will submit the bids; fans are eager to reacquaint themselves with the sport after the disappointments and embarrassments of the recent past, but the choice of Taranto's new owners cannot be wrong. There's an opportunity to start from scratch, and for this very reason, the best solution must be chosen, one that offers financial stability and project certainty, aware that decisions tied to the local area have almost always led to failure, and not just because of limited resources. The names of potential investors? Antonio Ferrara of the Gabetti Group is being talked about (he's said to be leading a consortium with local interests tied to the construction of a sports center in Talsano), but there are also rumors circulating about Bari-based entrepreneur Ladisa, active in the restaurant business; of a local group apparently led by Camillo D'Ippolito (who works in the metalworking sector) perhaps supported by a television editor and there are those who claim that the wealthy Italian-Swiss businessman Nicola Cortese may have approached Taranto football club with his sights set on building a luxury resort in Maruggio.

Surprises cannot be ruled out, especially the candidacy of a former player, Luigi Blasi, who has always denied any involvement but may actually participate in the tender process, which, according to rumors, is expected to last about ten days in an attempt to expedite the process. The new Taranto will start late, but, as the LND has implied, it will benefit from ad hoc dates to allow the future owners to complete all administrative formalities and operate effectively on the transfer market ahead of the next season.