Rome, January 1, 2022 (AFP) – Salernitana was saved from expulsion from Serie A after her administrators accepted an offer to buy the club from a new owner, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Saturday. .

The offer’s acceptance came just ahead of a midnight Friday deadline that would have forced the Salerno-based club south of Napoli to leave the league, had no offer been accepted.

FIGC confirmed to AFP on Saturday that “in accordance with the terms of the trust deed, yesterday at midnight the trustees informed FIGC by email that they had accepted an irrevocable offer to purchase the shares of Salernitana” .

Italian media have named new owner Daniele Iervolino, 43, founder of Pegasus online university in Italy.

In a statement published in the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Iervolino said he “will do everything to keep Salernitana in Serie A”.

“It is with great emotion that I announce the acquisition of Salernitana 1919. Salerno and its fans deserve a competitive team,” said Iervolino.

“I firmly believe that the plan to revive the team that we are preparing will ensure balance and stability for the club.”

Acceptance of the proposal triggers a 45-day extension of the time available to reach a deal, ensuring that Salernitana will continue playing until mid-February.

The club were promoted to the Italian top flight this season but immediately broke FIGC rules as the club was owned by Lazio boss Claudio Lotito.

According to FIGC rules, two clubs belonging to the same owner cannot play in the same division.

The administrators were appointed in June to organize the club’s sale before December 31, but last month they asked for a new deadline, saying they had not received good offers.

That hope was dashed after Italy’s football chief Gabriele Gravina said there would be no extension.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has indicated that the formalities necessary for the agreement have not yet been completed.