Parma players write open letter begging club President to stay
But after an unpaid tax bill, the FIGC refused to give Parma a UEFA licence to compete in Europe, and instead awarded the Europa League place to Torino.
The decision, which Ghirardi hotly refutes, caused him to depart the club and football.
"We are good people who run a good house. But they have managed to push me away from the game," he told gathering reporters.
"I'm done with football. I'm resigning as Parma President, and as of July 1 a new story will begin.
"Parma is now for sale."
However, Parma players have rallied together to pen a heartfelt letter begging him to remain in charge.
The note published on the club's website read:
"Dear President,
"This is your team speaking. These are sad days for all of us, for the whole city.
"They took away a dream. A dream that we built day after day, with sweat and sacrifice.
"We understand the bitterness, the delusion, the sorrow of who feels betrayed by the institutions...
"But as men of the pitch, not of the court, we can only start over in one way: transform this injustice into anger and this anger in new energy.
"We are ready to start over the race for a goal which we deserved on the pitch this year, and which is outcome of a project of which you are the first author.
"But to do so we need you, your passion, your honesty!
"To experience these emotions of the 18th May again… your squad, the one you built with many efforts, asks you for another chance…
"DON'T GIVE UP PRESIDENT !!!
"Your team."
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