Esposito Agent Fires Back at Cagliari Over Extortion Claim, Vows Legal Action

FolioPitch.com – 07 August 2026 | The dispute between Sebastiano Esposito and Cagliari has reached a boiling point, with the striker’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, firing back at the club’s director general, Stefano Melis, over allegations of extortion. Giuffredi has vowed to take the matter to court, accusing Melis of making baseless claims and questioning his professionalism.

According to reports, Melis described the situation as ‘almost an attempt at extortion’, a characterization that drew a furious response from Giuffredi. The agent denied any wrongdoing, stating that he had never met Melis and that the director general had no basis for making such claims.

The row’s flashpoint has been a medical certificate, which Esposito was signed off for due to health grounds. Giuffredi defended the certificate, stating that it related to the stress the player was under, while Melis branded it ’embarrassing’. The agent questioned how Melis, who is not a doctor, could make such a claim, especially when he had never been present at the negotiations.

The situation has escalated rapidly, with Giuffredi announcing his intention to take the matter to court. He has filed a complaint with the relevant authorities and has called on Cagliari’s owner, Tommaso Giulini, to take action against Melis. Giuffredi has also made explosive claims about Giulini, alleging that the president had asked him to ‘pretend to renew’ Esposito’s contract without informing Cagliari’s sporting staff.

The breakdown in relations between Esposito and Cagliari has been rapid, with the striker seeking improved terms before talks collapsed. Cagliari subsequently accused him of leaving the training camp without permission. The situation has now spilled into threats of legal action on both sides, with Giuffredi vowing to fight for his client’s rights.

The future of Esposito’s contract with Cagliari remains uncertain, with the agent’s actions set to have significant implications for the club. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the relationship between Esposito and Cagliari has reached a critical point, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.