Chievo Verona cease to exist after failing to attract buyer
By Max Cooper
Italian club Chievo Verona will cease to exist from the 2021/22 season, having failed to attract new investment following their demotion down to Serie D.
The club were penalised due to financial irregularities, and were sent to the fourth division of Italian football in order to work their way back up to the top flight.
However, they have been unable to attract a buyer to resurrect the club ahead of the new season, and having been set a deadline of August 24 to register themselves in the football league, they will not be allowed to compete this year.
Club legend Sergio Pellissier tried to a group of investors to buy the club and reinstate them into Serie D this season, but he failed to attract the necessary funding - meaning Chievo Verona will cease to exist.
The forward wrote an emotional letter to fans, admitting it was 'one of the saddest days of his life', while waving goodbye to 'the most important club' of his career.
“Unfortunately, today the story of this club that gave me so much has come to a close,” Pellissier wrote on Instagram. “It’s one of the saddest days of my life. I tried with all my strength, and I really hoped to start again with a new club and continue this fantastic story, it would’ve been marvellous. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get it done.
“I thought there were more people ready to step up and safeguard football in this city and this region, but that was not the case.
“We tried. I am just sad that we had so little time during a complicated period to find sponsors. So, goodbye my beloved Chievo, you will always be the most important club in my life.”
Chievo, also known as the Flying Donkeys, defied logic and critics by surviving in Serie A for many years, even finishing as high as fifth in 2002. They were relegated from the top-flight in 2019, and the club has been financially incapable of recovering from the money spent and lost over the years.