Brescia expelled from Italian professional leagues after 114 years as bankruptcy process begins

Brescia have been thrown out of Italy’s professional football system and placed on the path towards bankruptcy after failing to meet financial and registration obligations, a court in the city has confirmed.

The Brescia court ruled that the club, founded 114 years ago, will no longer be allowed to compete in the professional divisions after it did not pay the fees required to register for domestic competitions.

The club’s total debts are estimated at €20m, an amount Brescia have been unable to cover. They also failed to pay the mandatory registration sums for participation in Italian competitions by the 30 June deadline.

Bankruptcy proceedings to start

As a consequence of the non-payment, the court has initiated formal bankruptcy procedures for the Lombardy side. This effectively ends Brescia’s current status within the professional game, pending the outcome of those proceedings and any potential future restructuring.

Brescia’s financial difficulties persisted despite income linked to one of their most notable former players. The club were due to receive €6m from a sell-on clause in the transfer of Sandro Tonali, who left Newcastle United to join Tottenham Hotspur.

However, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, that €6m will not be paid into Brescia’s accounts. Instead, the sum is to be deposited in a FIFA-controlled fund, rather than directly benefiting the financially stricken club.

Recent on-field struggles

On the pitch, Brescia had already been in decline before the court’s intervention. Last season they finished 18th in Serie B, Italy’s second tier, continuing a difficult spell for a club that has long oscillated between divisions.

Their most recent appearance in Serie A came in the 2019-20 campaign, after which they dropped back into the lower leagues and were unable to re-establish themselves among the country’s elite.

Historic club with illustrious alumni

Brescia’s expulsion from the professional pyramid marks a dramatic low point for one of Italy’s historic provincial clubs, whose blue shirts have been worn by several of the game’s modern greats.

Among the most renowned names to have played for Brescia are Andrea Pirlo, Luca Toni, Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio, all of whom spent spells at the club during different stages of their careers.

The decision by the Brescia court brings to an abrupt halt more than a century of professional participation in Italian football, leaving supporters awaiting clarity on whether a reformed entity will be able to start again in the amateur ranks in future seasons.