PARMA president Giampietro Manenti was arrested yesterday on suspicion of embezzlement and money laundering.

Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the Italian businessman was detained along with 21 others by the country’s financial police for alleged illegal dealings.

The police also raided Parma’s offices as part of a nationwide investigation named “GFB-Oculus” carried out by Rome’s prosecutors’ office.

Manenti, whose Slovenian-based company Mapi Group became Parma’s third owners this season when it purchased the Ducale outfit in February, has so far failed to provide the capital to keep the cash-strapped club afloat.

Parma face a bankruptcy hearing on Thursday.

The mayor of Parma Federico Pizzarotti, who recently described Manenti as “not credible,” posted on Twitter: “I said it from the start: there is no space for dishonest people in Parma.

“No looter touches the Parmigiani (Parma locals), the city and our team.”

Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli said: “We need to understand whether this has to do with Parma or not.

“It seems every day we, the team, the fans and our city, are hit by something new.

“I really hope that sooner or later this will end because I can honestly say we cannot take any more.”

Parma’s players and staff have not been paid since July and the Gialloblu were forced to postpone two Serie A games last month due to a lack of money.

“It has been difficult to play for some time,” Lucarelli said. “It has been difficult to play for us since November because of a series of issues.

“You feel like shutting everything once and for all because this is becoming a farce.

“I say this with sadness. It’s disgusting.”

Parma, coached by Roberto Donadoni, lie at the foot of the Serie A standings, 16 points from safety, and host Torino on Sunday.

by Our Sports Desk