Carbone move gives Bradford a lifeline

Benito Carbone is set to secure his release from Bradford City tomorrow - saving the jobs of 19 other players in the process.

The Professional Footballers’ Association have arranged and helped finance a deal which should see Italian striker Carbone return home and sign for Como, who have been promoted to Serie A.

And in a double boost for the Valley Parade club they are expected to be given the go-ahead to continue a meeting of their creditors tomorrow.

Bradford’s administrators said yesterday they remained hopeful the stricken club’s creditors would accept their offer and the Bantams could avoid going bust in the wake of tomorrow’s crisis meeting.

The First Division club, whose senior players pulled out of last night’s friendly at Hull over a pay dispute brought about by the crisis, meet the creditors knowing that if they reject the creditors voluntary agreement (CVA), the club will close.

But the club are confident they will come through the meeting, with the PFA-brokered deal with Carbone playing a big part in securing their survival.

Carbone’s contract has been cancelled by mutual consent and the PFA have negotiated a settlement and also played an integral role in structuring and financing the club’s CVA.

Bradford are still in administration but the fact that Carbone will from tomorrow be off the wage bill will enable them to offer contracts to 19 players who would otherwise have been released.

Mick McGuire, deputy chief executive of the PFA, told PA Sport: “Benito’s co-operation has enabled the club to move forward and we are all very optimistic for its survival.

“If, as we hope, the whole situation is resolved tomorrow, the club will be able to offer contracts for next season to those other 19 players the administrators attempted to dismiss who have not already found alternative employment.

“The PFA are delighted that the situation looks like being resolved and are happy to have helped.”