The Italian Football Federation has launched an investigation after supporters of second division club Juve Stabia. Seen celebrating a goal Benito Mussolini’s grandchildren scored with fascist salutes.
Footage captured during the team’s win at home to Cesena shows the moments after Romano Floriani Mussolini, 21, scored the only goal. As the announcer called out “Romano” seven times, dozens of fans appeared to respond with fascist salutes and enthusiastic shouts of “Mussolini” each time.
The Football Federation (FIGC) said it was looking into the matter. “Federal Prosecutor’s Office [of the FIGC] will send a report on the incident … to Serie B’s sports referee for a ruling,” it said.
Italy’s highest court this year that ruled Performing a fascist salute is not an offence, unless it endangers public order or risks reviving a banned fascist group. This judgment comes in the context of an incident in Milan After the video day Appeared among hundreds of men giving the Fascist salute at an annual rally in Rome.
Juve Stabia, in a statement has been posted On their website, its fans rejected any connection between the gesture and fascism. “For 117 years, the club has celebrated its team’s goals,” it said. “When the scoring player is announced, we raise our arms to the sky as a sign of the team that is in our hearts and represents the city. It happened again with this goal.”
Floriani Mussolini has played every league game for Juve Stabia this season, on loan from Lazio, where he has joined Under-19 team in 2021.
Seen by some signed by Lazio fuel Club’s far-right stereotype, which is long struggled with racist slogans and accusations of praising fascism. In 2021, Club adjourned Its falconer Juan Bernabe, tasked with flying the club’s eagle mascot before kick-off, was filmed cheering for Benito Mussolini in the stadium.
Floriani Mussolini called on people to judge him on his performance. “My great-grandfather, Benito, was a very important person for Italy but we are in 2024 and the world has changed,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport this year.
His mother Alessandra, a the former Italian and European MP, granddaughter of Benito Mussolini, whose fascist regime seized power in October 1922, ruling Italy until 1943.
