‘Two years of nonsense’: Ziliani defends Napoli in Osimhen case
Italian journalist Paolo Ziliani has reignited debate over the long-running controversy surrounding Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Napoli, calling the entire saga an ‘absurd hoax’ and accusing critics—particularly from the Juventus camp—of ignoring basic legal principles.
The investigation into Napoli’s alleged fictitious capital gains during Osimhen’s 2020 move from Lille has officially been archived. Yet, Juventus supporters continue to cry foul, citing double standards after their club was docked 10 points in 2024 for financial irregularities.
Ziliani, writing on X, didn’t hold back:
‘Two years of crying and complaining about the ‘preferential treatment’ for Napoli, and it turns out the clowns were the ones protesting without understanding the ABCs of the rules.’
He emphasized that Napoli’s acquittal was not only predictable but legally sound, citing the Code of Sports Justice which mandates silence from prosecutors in cases where no wrongdoing is found—out of respect for the investigated party.
Ziliani also mocked the media frenzy that surrounded the case:
‘How many hours of TV and kilometers of articles were wasted on a market operation that was clearly a hoax? Napoli’s inclusion of unknown players like Manzi, Palmieri, Liguori, and Karnezis in the Osimhen deal was blown out of proportion.’
He concluded by reaffirming that Napoli and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis were never at risk, and that the case was judged and closed long ago.
