Joseph Portelli is officially the new owner of Ars et Labor Ferrara
Previous owners Juan Martin Molinari and Andrès Adolfo Marengo signed the agreement with Joseph Portelli, through JP Football Holdings, in Rome on Thursday.
In a statement, the club said “We are pleased to announce that, effective today, July 9, 2026, Mr. Joseph Portelli, through JPFootball Holdings Ltd., will be the new owner of Ars et Labor Ferrara.”
The statement adds that “Marcel Bonnici has been appointed CEO of the club,” while “further appointments within the corporate structure will be announced in the coming days.”
“We wish to send a clear message to the Club’s fans,” reads the club’s statement, “that we will be fully committed to restoring Ars et Labor Ferrara to the level its history and tradition deserve. We will honor the Club’s glorious past and guide all our decisions according to the values of transparency, integrity, competence, and ambition—principles that have always characterised our successes, both in football and in business. Our goal is to ensure solid operational and financial stability, which will lay the foundation for sustainable growth and continued success.”
Joseph Portelli and Marcel Bonnici will be meeting media representatives and then supporters “who represent the beating heart and most precious asset of this Club” to present their project.
“It will be an opportunity to present our project, share the vision that will guide the future of Ars et Labor Ferrara, and reiterate our commitment to giving our all for these colors. With their support and passion, we are confident that together we can build a future full of satisfaction and success, worthy of the extraordinary history and legitimate ambitions of Ars et Labor Ferrara.”
Earlier during the day, another positive outcome for the club is the successful acquisition of the SPAL brand by the Municipality of Ferrara for 395,000 euro during an auction, which will be licensed to Ars et Labor Ferrara. This will allow the club to take the historic SPAL name and use its logo.
Meanwhile the only issue left to be clarified is whether the club will be playing in the Eccellenza or the Serie D. Ars et Labor Ferrara submitted an official request to be reinstated in the Serie D but the official confirmation should be issued later this month.