Sky threatens Serie A over Parma crisis

(ANSA) - Rome, March 5 - Sky on Thursday warned Serie A that it must solve the crisis concerning bankruptcy-threatened Parma, adding that the clubs had the money to do so after the payment of the latest installment of the satellite broadcaster's cash for TV rights. Bottom side Parma's away game at Genoa was postponed last weekend, as was their home game the week before against Udinese, because of their financial plight.
    But Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) chief Carlo tavecchio said Wednesday he and Parma Mayor Federico Pizzarotti had framed a plan to allow Sunday's home game with Atalanta to go ahead.
    If Parma are unable to complete the championship it will cause chaos for Italian football and could lead to claims that the whole Serie A season has been compromised.
    "We cannot fail to express our grave and growing concern about what is happening at Parma," Sky Italia Sport Channels Executive Vice-President Jacques Raynaud wrote in a letter to the Serie A clubs. "As a consequence the whole championship is no longer regular and it risks losing a major part and a prestigious club.
    "We are astounded that the situation can have got this far without any intervention from you to prevent it. "As the main partner of the soccer system, we ask you to explain what you intend to do to face the situation effectively and ensure that at least all the matches on the schedule take place. "We trust that the additional economic support that we have just paid in will be used by you for this".