Elliott under accusation: chats show pressure on Lille and Milan
In the magistrates' room in Milan, investigators have reviewed a series of WhatsApp messages linking former Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani to Gordon Singer, son of Paul of the Elliott fund, with references to Sven Botman and Renato Sanches, while publishing the first clues.
He cited investigation acts of the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office, which on March 4 requested the dismissal of the proceedings, leaving the final decision to the judge regarding the matter that led to the change of ownership of the red‑and‑black club.
Meanwhile, the summer of 2022 saw the sale of Milan to the Redbird fund, managed by the current owner Gerry Cardinale; despite the formal conclusion, Elliott is back in the spotlight due to new suspicions.
Chat between Furlani and Singer
The chats obtained by the Financial Police show communications between Giorgio Furlani and Gordon Singer, a long‑standing board member and son of Paul, the number one of the Elliott fund. For investigators, these conversations suggest that while Furlani was at the helm of Milan, the Anglo‑American fund was financing Lille through Merlyn Partners, influencing its strategies.
The Botman case
In January 2022 Furlani discussed with Singer the possibility of transferring the Dutch defender Sven Botman to Newcastle, a move that materialised in the following summer despite interest from Milan and coach Paolo Maldini. Singer had set a threshold of at least €40 million: should Lille receive an offer of that amount, Botman would have to be transferred.
The Sanches case
On 26 January 2022 Gordon Singer expressed the desire not to transfer the Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches to Milan, preferring that he remain at Lille to contribute to the French club’s European qualification. This decision, according to them, fuels doubts about the nature of the relationship between the two clubs.
Lille’s corporate structure
In December 2020 Lille moved from Gerard Lopez to Merlyn Partners, a transaction completed through the Luxembourg vehicle Callisto Sporting. By the end of 2021 Callisto Sporting reported €163.5 million of debt to unidentified creditors, an amount that was loaned to its subsidiaries; among the creditors was the Elliott fund, suspected of exerting a clear influence on both Lille and Milan.
UEFA rules and possible violations
UEFA regulations, article 5, prohibit the same person or entity from exercising decisive influence over two clubs qualified for the same European competition in the same season. UEFA has asked Lille for clarification, but no investigation has led to definitive conclusions on the case.
Elliott’s response
Elliott issued a statement saying that the Italian magistrates recommended the dismissal of the proceedings without any charge, lamenting the spread of material selected by a frustrated counterpart. Moreover, UEFA confirmed that Elliott does not exercise any control or decisive influence over Lille, limiting its role to that of a financier.