Lawyers for Thomas DiBenedetto confirm there is no conflict of interest in Roma takeover

Thomas DiBenedetto will assume control of Roma as agreed, as lawyers working in relation to the takeover confirm there is no conflict of interest with Liverpool.

On Wednesday The Guardian reported DiBenedetto’s assets in New England Sports Ventures – the company that owns Liverpool – could jeopardise the takeover as it reportedly breached UEFA rules which state it’s forbidden for “persons or clubs to control or influence more than one club registered for European competition”.

However, the legal team working on the takeover, which is expected to be completed in three weeks, have said there is no conflict of interest.

Speaking to the Ansa press agency, one of the legal team’s representatives said: “There is no case in relation to UEFA’s article three of their regulations, and there is no conflict of interest in relation to the Roma takeover.”

It follows yesterday’s statement which confirmed DiBenedetto had agreed to purchase Roma from their holding company Italpetroli.

The statement said: “Italpetroli S.p.a., UniCredit S.p.a. and Di Benedetto AS Roma LLC announce that negotiations in Rome over the past few days have reached a basic agreement to buy up control of AS Roma S.p.a.

“Based on this agreement, the buy-out should be completed by a company made up of 60% Di Benedetto AS Roma LLC and 40% UniCredit S.p.a.

“There is also an option for UniCredit to sell their shares to other strategic Italian investors.

“Over the next few days we will proceed to write out the definitive versions of the agreements reached today, which also include commitments for the reinforcement and future development of AS Roma.”

Roma will become the first Italian club to come under foreign ownership once the takeover is complete.

The Giallorossi take on Juventus this weekend, five points ahead of the Bianconeri in the chase for European competition.