Gela Calcio takeover stalls as owner Maurizio Melfa withdraws

Maurizio Melfa, a local entrepreneur, announced that he is pulling out of the planned acquisition of Gela Calcio. For weeks he had negotiated with the club’s current owners, the municipality and supporters to secure the team's registration for the upcoming Serie D season and avoid a potential collapse.

Melfa said the current owners abruptly decided not to proceed with the sale after receiving interest from other parties. He expressed disappointment, emphasizing that his aim was solely to preserve the historic club and prevent its disappearance. While he will not pursue the deal further, he welcomed the prospect that another investor might step in to guarantee continuity.

The former president highlighted the extensive work undertaken on finances, player contracts and administrative requirements, and thanked the mayor Terenziano Di Stefano and local entrepreneurs for their involvement. The future of Gela Calcio now depends on whether a new backer can emerge before the registration deadline.