Del Nido Benavente Slams 'Obscene' Sevilla Auction Talk Amid Club Crisis
Former Sevilla president José María del Nido Benavente voices concerns over the club's financial situation and potential sale during heated shareholders' meeting.
Sevilla’s shareholders’ meeting descended into a four-hour marathon of accusations and financial worry, with former president Del Nido Benavente claiming the club is “in bankruptcy” while demanding transparency on potential sale talks.
Financial Chaos at the Sánchez Pizjuán
The atmosphere at Monday’s shareholders’ meeting was proper tense, with Sevilla’s ownership situation taking center stage. Current president José María del Nido Carrasco insisted “no document exists regarding the sale of the club” when questioned by representatives from United Shareholders.
Meanwhile, his father and former president Del Nido Benavente - who claims to control around 40% of shares - delivered a scathing assessment of the situation, questioning whether negotiations were happening behind his back.
“Is the club being sold? Is there any offer? Is my part being sold? Just so I know… I haven’t been informed about the possibility of selling the club despite controlling 40% of the capital,” Benavente told the assembly.
Goldman Sachs Loan Questions
The financial picture at Sevilla looks increasingly dicey. The club secured a €108 million loan in March 2024 from Goldman Sachs, initially set for ten years with two years’ grace period. This credit line has apparently been expanded by €70 million, bringing the total to €178 million.
Benavente demanded answers about this arrangement, asking pointed questions about potential second loans and whether board members might have personally profited from these financial dealings.
”The Club is in Bankruptcy”
After the meeting, Benavente didn’t hold back when speaking to the press. He painted a bleak picture of Sevilla’s current state, claiming his warnings from four years ago have now become reality.
“The club is in bankruptcy, look at whatever numbers you want,” he stated bluntly. “Unfortunately, this is reflected on the pitch.”
When asked about potential buyers, Benavente confirmed past meetings with businessman Lappí (whom he originally brought into football) but considered the offer “insufficient” both financially and as a project. He was adamant about his stance on any sale process: “Making an auction of Sevilla seems obscene to me.”
Presidential Ambitions Blocked
Despite clearly wanting to retake control, Benavente acknowledged the barriers to his presidential ambitions, suggesting his opponents won’t even allow him to vote: “I would like to be president… but you see the struggle I have. They won’t let me vote; it’s a problem of compliance with legality.”
With Sevilla currently struggling in La Liga and financial pressures mounting, this boardroom drama shows no signs of cooling down. What’s crystal clear is that the club faces significant challenges both on and off the pitch in the coming months.