FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 file photo Joe Tacopina, right, and Joey Saputo pose in front of the Bologna Football Club logo, in Bologna, Italy. New Bologna owners Joe Tacopina and Joey Saputo have issued a joint statement on the club's website reassuring fans that they are still collaborating amid reports of a rift. They say, "From the start we have been partners and friends and that hasn't changed. ... We will try to assure adequate financial resources for the club for many years." New York lawyer Tacopina and Montreal Impact president Saputo purchased Bologna in October. (AP Photo/Gianfilippo Oggioni, File) (The Associated Press)
BOLOGNA, Italy – New Bologna owners Joe Tacopina and Joey Saputo have issued a joint statement on the club's website reassuring fans that they are still collaborating amid reports of a rift.
They say "from the start we have been partners and friends and that hasn't changed. ... We will try to assure adequate financial resources for the club for many years."
New York lawyer Tacopina and Montreal Impact president Saputo purchased Bologna in October.
Tacopina was named Bologna's president and Saputo was acknowledged as the club's largest investor.
Last month, former Bologna president Albano Guaraldi claimed the new owners didn't pay 6 million euros ($7.5 million) as part of the takeover, raising questions over Saputo's support of Tacopina.
But the joint statement says the payment to Guaraldi will be resolved "very shortly."
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