#INSERT type:image caption:Parma's players have extended a deadline to receive outstanding wage payments. END#
Parma's players have extended a deadline to receive outstanding wage payments, but the Serie A club still faces pressure from the Italian state over unpaid taxes.
Wages, which have not been paid since July, were meant to arrive on Monday, but by Tuesday night they still had not arrived. Parma's players and staff had set Feb. 16 as a final deadline for payments to be made, but after receiving assurances from the club's new president Gianpietro Manenti, they have agreed to wait just a few more days.
"We've not served a default notice," said club captain Alessandro Lucarelli to Mediaset after a meeting which involved Italian Professional Footballer's Association (AIC) president Damiano Tommasi and club officials.
"We'll keep faith in president Manenti for a few more days. We've decided to give the club a few more days to deliver what they have promised, which is the payment of the wages. I spoke with the president this afternoon and he told me that he is doing all he can to ensure the money arrives as soon as possible.
"I therefore felt that it was right to give the club the time it takes for things to go through and we'll leave things at that for the moment, then we'll see. If it doesn't happen today, then hopefully it will be tomorrow or the day after. We haven't set a specific date, we'll just update with the club next week."
Manenti was on his way to Slovenia on Tuesday, where he runs his business, in a bid to accelerate the bank transfers while bailiffs arrived at the club's training ground to seize several of the club's vehicles against unpaid taxes.
Meanwhile, the ANSA agency on Tuesday night reported that the Parma public prosecutor's office has called for the club to be declared bankrupt, scheduling a hearing for March 19.
No further meetings were scheduled on Wednesday with the players expected to train as usual in preparation for the weekend's clash with Udinese.
However, with a potential further five-point penalty hanging over the club, the chances of them avoiding relegation this season appear slim. With that penalty, they would drop to five points, 18 adrift of safety.