A bitter dispute between striker Sebastiano Esposito and Cagliari has taken a serious turn, with the player's agent, Mario Giuffredi, announcing plans to initiate legal proceedings against the club's director general, Stefano Melis. The conflict intensified after Melis publicly described the ongoing contract negotiations as being "almost an attempt at extortion."
Giuffredi, speaking to TuttoCagliari.net, reacted sharply to the accusation, insisting that Melis was never involved in the actual negotiations and had no right to use such language. The agent stated that he intends to file a formal complaint with the relevant authorities regarding the director's conduct, while also criticizing Melis for his subservient relationship with the club's president. "He should be ashamed of having used the word ‘extortion,’" Giuffredi said. "In our world, there is no room for that word."
Beyond the dispute with Melis, Giuffredi made a significant claim regarding Cagliari owner Tommaso Giulini. According to the agent, Giulini had previously asked him to "pretend to renew" Esposito’s contract without notifying the club's own sporting staff. Giuffredi has called on the president to take disciplinary action against his director following the recent escalation.
The tension between the two parties has been building rapidly. Esposito, who made his transfer from Inter permanent during the summer, had been seeking improved contract terms before the discussions broke down. Following the collapse of talks, Cagliari accused the striker of abandoning the training camp without permission. Giuffredi has defended his client, specifically questioning how Melis—who does not hold a medical background—could label a medical certificate provided by the player as "embarrassing." The situation has now evolved from a simple contractual disagreement into a full-scale legal confrontation involving both sides.
“Tomorrow I will file a complaint with the relevant authorities regarding Mr Melis,” he said, adding a pointed jibe that the DG merely said “yes, sir” to his president.
