An Italian court has ordered the judicial liquidation of historic football club Brescia Calcio, ending 114 years of history in the country's professional leagues. The ruling by the Brescia Tribunal came on the 70th birthday of club president Massimo Cellino and follows the club's exclusion from professional competitions for failing to meet financial deadlines a year ago.
The bankruptcy was requested by prosecutor Jacopo Berardi, with the club carrying an accumulated debt of roughly 23 million euros, including funds owed to privileged creditors and lenders. Lawyer Luca Bonavitacola described the decision as inevitable, given the club's dire financial position. Creditors have until November 20 to file claims ahead of an autumn creditors' assembly.
Cellino is reportedly weighing a possible appeal.Founded in 1911, the club spent more than a century competing between Serie A and Serie B, one of Italy's longest-running top-flight presences.