The fallout from Romano Floriani Mussolini’s first professional goal continues with Juve Stabia rejecting that alleged fascist salutes were made by their supporters.
Mussolini is the great-grandson of Italy’s former dictator and scored his first goal for the Serie B side on December 22nd.
It was a big one too, as it was the matchwinner in a 1-0 victory over Cesena, coming in the 21st minute.
However, the goal was quickly overshadowed when the stadium announcer did his customary shout-out of the player’s first name, with the crowd shouting back ‘Mussolini’.
Those shouts were seemingly met by the raise of hands in the form of a fascist salute, something the club strongly rejects, despite the Italian Football Association launching an investigation into the scenes.
In a statement, the Napoli side said: “SS Juve Stabia 1907 has taken note of the deliberate desire of a part of the national press to see in a simple celebration of the Stabia public – which followed the goal of an exemplary boy and a footballer who is defending the club’s colours to the best of his ability on the football field, the most followed sport in the nation and beyond – to attack the public and on the player himself.
“We specify that the position of the club is one of absolute tranquillity because for 117 years in Castellammare di Stabia people have celebrated the goals of their hometown team this way.
“Since the stadium has had a speaker and a sound system – it is specified – that following a goal of Juve Stabia the name of the footballer who scored the goal is announced by our speaker and the surname by the public with emphasis and raising their arms to the sky in a sign of sporting exultation for their favourite team that represents their hometown.
“The goal scored by Romano Floriani Mussolini against Cesena – the Campania club recalls on its website – was the tenth of the championship at home, the ninth at Menti, and as always, the process after the goal was the same.”
President Langella also gave his take, adding: “Our ideals are always the same, they are based on fairness and respect for others, a healthy competitive spirit linked to sport and they do not change based on the surname of our members who are exemplary boys.
“We have fans who make us proud because they are among the most fair in football, and are always close to us. We do not accept exploitation for a golden boy like Romano Floriani Mussolini and the same goes for our fans who celebrated as they have always done in the past with any other athlete. The team is already ready and focused on the next challenge pursuing our goal of promotion.”
Floriani Mussolini, on his part, would comment on his finger-to-the-mouth goal celebration.
“I am for challenges: if I have to shut up those who have prejudices about my surname, I will do it,” he said.
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