Headline: Cagliari’s Sebastiano Esposito Submits Medical Certificate to Delay Pre-Season Training
Cagliari, Italy – The ongoing dispute between Sebastiano Esposito and Cagliari has intensified as the striker recently submitted another medical certificate, permitting him to avoid attending pre-season training.
The controversy began when Esposito departed the training camp in Ponte di Legno on August 1, prompting the club to issue a statement indicating forthcoming disciplinary measures.
Cagliari has expressed its frustration over the situation, which has escalated due to Esposito’s agent asserting that the decision to take time off was mutually agreed upon with the club’s directors. He further claimed that the club regrets its obligation to purchase the player from Inter for €4 million, alongside add-ons and a 40 percent share of any future transfer profits following a loan period.
Esposito’s representative, Mario Giuffredi, emphasized that Cagliari is merely looking to offload the player this summer and has allegedly aimed to impose an exit on him.
Recent reports indicate that Esposito has once again provided a medical certificate, citing ’emotional stress and anxiety’ as grounds for not participating in training. This latest documentation means that he will have been absent for 25 days of pre-season preparation with the team.
As the situation remains unresolved, Cagliari finds itself at a crossroads, with no substantial offers having surfaced for Esposito, despite the club’s intentions to sell. Cagliari’s coach, Fabio Pisacane, admitted that the circumstances are troubling during a recent press conference.
The team is set to commence its competitive season tomorrow, facing Arezzo in the first round of the Coppa Italia.
The feud continues between Sebastiano Esposito and Cagliari, as the striker presented another medical certificate to delay his attendance at pre-season training.
The row erupted when the player left the training camp in Ponte di Legno on August 1, and the club released a statement promising disciplinary action.
Advertisement
Esposito and Cagliari at loggerheads
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 07: Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari celebrates his goal 1-1 with team mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 07, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
His agent responded publicly, insisting that the decision to have time out had been both mutual and agreed to by the directors.
He also accused Cagliari of regretting the obligation to buy him from Inter for €4m plus add-ons and a 40 per cent cut of the profit of any future sale after the initial loan spell.
Advertisement
Esposito’s representative Mario Giuffredi insisted that Cagliari just wanted to sell him this summer and were trying to force an exit.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – APRIL 11: Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari celebrates his goal 1-0 during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Cremonese at Stadio Sant’Elia on April 11, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
The situation seems to be dragging on, because today it’s reported the forward presented another medical certificate giving him the right to not attend training due to ’emotional stress and anxiety.’
Once that expires, it means he will have missed 25 days of pre-season work with his squad.
Advertisement
Everyone involved is stuck in a holding pattern, because if Cagliari wanted to sell, then no concrete offers have yet arrived.
“There are people dealing with it, but I cannot deny that this situation disturbs me,” confessed coach Fabio Pisacane in a press conference.
Cagliari begin their competitive season tomorrow with the Coppa Italia First Round tie against Arezzo.
[/gpt3]