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I Was Not Allowed To Buy Napoli - Luciano Gaucci

The former Perugia president says that the powers that be kept him from acquiring the Partnopei...

Nov 6, 2009 1:55:20 AM

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Luciano Gaucci

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Former Perugia president Luciano Gaucci is synonymous with controversy, and he claims that he had an agreement to purchase Napoli, but it was the 'powers that be', in particular Franco Carraro, that did not allow the move to be finalised.

Gaucci claims that there was a written agreement between he and former president Salvatore Naldi, to purchase the Azzurri, for €46 million, but it was never respected.

"Why didn't I become Napoli president? It was the 'powers that be' that chose Gaucci not to be president," he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"I had bought the club for €46m, paying Naldi, and making an agreement. There was a written agreement, but it was not respected.

"A higher power, football and political, being Franco Carraro, decided to not to allow the deal to go through. The team of Aurelio De Laurentiis and Pierpaolo Marino eventuated to eliminate Luciano Gaucci.

"Napoli are in very good hands and am happy that De Laurentiis is doing big things. But it is not written anywhere that I would have done a worse job.

"The 'power' put De Laurentiis at Napoli, despite ample guarantees given to him.

"As for a return? Bologna and Verona are two avenues that interest me, but I am in no rush," Gaucci concluded.

Rick D'Andrea, Goal.com