Malaysian businessman buys Italian football club Bari
Published on: Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian businessman is now the proud owner of Serie B club FC Bari 1908 S.P.A. after acquiring a 50 percent stake in the club. In a statement, the Italian club said it came to a preliminary agreement on April 8 with new owner Datuk Dr Noordin Ahmad. However ,no details of the sale were made public. The club's president and former referee Gianluca Paparesta, who owns a 95 per cent stake, said the sale was communicated to board members and details of the sale will be announced in coming days at a press conference.
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Dr Noordin is expected to be introduced to the board members and shareholders. Incidentally, during Bari's home match at its stadium - Stadio San Nicola against AC Cesena on April 4, the Jalur Gemilang flag was spotted hanging from the terraces. Images of the flag were shared on the club's official Instagram page @fcbariofficial three times, fuelling a possible takeover by the Malaysian entrepreneur. The change of ownership may help the second tier club, currently third in the standings with 57 points from 35 games played to perform much better. Nicknamed the iGalletti (The Cockerels) or iBiancorossi (The White-Red) after its colours, the club was founded in 1908.
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Bari once held the British football transfer record for purchasing former England star David Platt for £5.5million from Aston Villa in 1991. Several famous names have plied their trade at the club including Nicola Ventola, Gianluca Zambrotta, Antonio Cassano, Diego De Ascentis, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Ranocchia.
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