The news was published by a few Italian newspapers yesterday claiming that the club’s president and former referee, Gianluca Paparesta was quoted as saying he had reached an agreement with the club’s board of directors about the sale of the stake to Dr Noordin on April 8.
Paparesta currently owns a 95 per cent stake in the club from Southern Italy.
Speculation about the possible takeover was fueled after the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) was spotted flying at the terrace during FC Bari’s home match against Cesena at its stadium Stadio San Nicola on April 4.
The change of ownership would certainly give a major boost to the Apulia-based club to put up a much better performance in Serie B, where they are currently in third spot with 57 points from 35 matches.
It is understood that it was not the first time that Dr Noordin was interested in Italian football since he was spotted with his best friend Grazia Innarelli, an Italian lawyer, at the headquarters of another Italian club, SS Lazio, with hope of becoming a partner in the club.
Paparesta is believed to have bought the club for Euro 2 million (RM8.850 million) on May 20, 2014 during the club’s third bankruptcy auction before changing the club’s name to FC Bari 1908 S.P.A.
Nicknamed the iGalletti (The Cockerels) or iBiancorossi (The White-Red) after its colours, FC Bari was founded in 1908 and several renowned footballers had plied their trade at the club, such as Nicola Ventola, Gianluca Zambrotta, Antonio Cassano, Diego De Ascentis, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Ranocchia.
FC Bari’s golden era was in 1947 where they finished seventh in Serie A, Italy’s top-tier football league.
-BERNAMA