Sampdoria, FIGC drops youth sector case: no sporting offence found | OneFootball

The Federal Prosecutor of the FIGC has officially closed the investigation against Luca Silvani, former head of the youth sector of Sampdoria, bringing an end to the case that erupted in recent months following a television report by the program Le Iene.

Sampdoria, FIGC Prosecutor Closes Youth Sector Case: No Sporting Offense

The investigation concerned the alleged hiring of young players for economic compensation, disguised as sponsorship.

The file was opened in June 2025, following reports related to the registration of young defender Emanuele Profeti, whose case caused a media stir and prompted the club to temporarily suspend the executive as a precaution.

Outcome of the investigation: “Absence of any sporting offense”

According to Silvani himself in an official statement, the Federal Prosecutor unequivocally confirmed the absence of illicit conduct and any connection between the player's registration and alleged payments or sponsorships.

“The Federal Prosecutor – as stated in the communiqué – has unequivocally confirmed the absence of any sporting offense, thus ending the investigations regarding the registration of the player Emanuele Profeti and the alleged connection with an illicit sponsorship, which never occurred. This final decision confirms the total innocence and correctness of my actions.”

The closure represents a complete rehabilitation for the executive, who has always denied the accusations and spoke of normal registration procedures, free of any economic pressure.

The Le Iene report and the suspension of the executive

The case exploded after the airing of an investigative report by Le Iene, which suggested that Silvani had requested a sum of money – about 70,000 euros – to favor the registration of the young Profeti, without ever evaluating him technically on the field.

The accusations received wide media coverage, leading Sampdoria to temporarily suspend the executive pending the outcome of the investigation. The closure by the FIGC Prosecutor now ends the matter, excluding any sporting offense and restoring full legitimacy to the operations of the blucerchiati youth sector.

Silvani's words: “Truth of the facts restored”

In the concluding part of his note, Silvani expressed satisfaction with the Prosecutor's decision, emphasizing how the matter has finally restored the truth:

“The closure of the file restores the truth of the facts, confirming that I only adhered to the normal registration procedures of a young athlete.”

The executive also thanked those who showed him support and trust during the months of uncertainty, reiterating his commitment to promoting young Italian football talents in full compliance with federal rules.

A case that raises reflections on youth recruitment

The Sampdoria case, now definitively closed, brings attention back to the issue of transparency in the recruitment of young players. The system of sponsorships linked to youth academies remains a sensitive area, where the line between economic support and conflict of interest can be thin.

However, the outcome of the FIGC investigation highlights the importance of timely and accurate checks, capable of protecting both the families of young athletes and the reputation of professional clubs.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.