Time is running out for Parma. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31588196 In the late 1980s, Parma was best known for producing thin-sliced prosciutto ham and hard, dusty cheese you sprinkle on bolognese. Over the next decade, Italy international Gianfranco Zola and South American stars Faustino Asprilla and Hernan Crespo helped ensure the Italian city became synonymous with football as well as food. In three months' time, the club will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its maiden Uefa Cup success. In three months' time, it might just be extinct. Parma finished sixth in Serie A last season....... Last weekend's home game against Udinese was called off because cash-strapped Parma officials could not afford to pay for stewards. The club's players have not been paid all season and there is not even hot water for a post-training shower. Parma's players are prepared to pay for their transport to Sunday's Serie A match at Genoa if the club cannot afford a bus.. "If there isn't a bus to go to Genoa we'll get five or six cars together and travel in them. We're prepared to pay for the trip ourselves."
I've followed this story with a keen eye recently as during the 90's when it was popular for the kids at school to have an ''Italian'' team, mine was Parma. I even begged and pleaded to be taken to see a game at the Tardini, which I was fortunate enough to do when they had a team consisting of Amoroso (still have a match worn shirt of his to this day), Buffon, Thuram, Almeyda, Cannavaro (back when he was just starting his career) and so many more. Such an amazing club, who have had their struggles in recent years (Parmalat going bust being the catalyst), but after last season looked like they were heading back to being a force in Italy. Since then, they've changed owners as many times as we've changed managers this season. They have almost 200 players on their books I believe. Anyone looking to buy the club would have to instantly look at terminating the vast majority of these - so have an immediate costly expenditure. I just can't see anyone willing to come in and do that. Clubs in Italy won't help the cause when it comes to a vote to possibly expel them from Italian football as so many players will become readily available in a country where they are struggling financially themselves. Sad, sad times.
