The footballer was sentenced in first instance to 3 years and 4 months for aggravated sexual assault Michael Liguori in any case, continue to take the field with the Padova in Serie C, unleashing a river of protests and controversiesincluding that of the councilor of the municipality of Padua, Cristina Piva.
The sentence for Michael Liguori
Last week, on Thursday 10 October, the Teramo court sentenced Padova footballer Michael Liguori to 3 years and 4 months for aggravated sexual assault against a 14 year old girl.
Liguori is a 25-year-old striker registered with Padova, a team that plays in group C of the Lega Pro championship which a few days later, on Saturday 12 October, challenged Giana Erminio (Gorgonzola club) away. Match during which, in the 59th minute of the second half, Liguori entered the field anyway.
Michael Liguori’s goal that decided the derby between Padova and Vicenza, which was played just four days before the attacker was sentenced to first instance
A choice, that of the company, harshly criticized both on social media and in the institutional field, with the PD councilor with responsibility for Education of the municipality of Padua, Cristina Piva, who commented on what happened as follows: “A shame that causes damage to the image of the city, the club and the fans”.
The words of the Padua councilor
“All we do is fill our mouths with the fact that sport, together with family and school, is one of the three main educational agencies and then, when things like this happen, let’s pretend nothing happened” said the councilor, as reported by The Morning.
“What an example we set for childrenstarting with those aged 6-8 who start playing football in Padua? And if it had been any boy and not a footballer, would we have commented on the story in a different way? – Piva then asks provocatively – I think so. If it had been a non-EU person, even worse.”
“I’m also a guarantor, of course – the councilor then concluded – But this guy didn’t get a fine: he was convicted of raping a little girl.” Regional councilor Elena Ostanel is also on the same line: “I am a former men’s football referee, it’s not enough to go on the pitch with the red mark on your face once a year, if you don’t then act from within to change the face, still too much male chauvinist.”
The facts that led to the conviction
The facts in which the Padova footballer is involved date back to 2018, when Liguori was 19 years old and lived in Alba Adriatica (province of Teramo). One evening, he and his friend, Andrea Perozzi, invited the 14-year-old girl and her 15-year-old friend out.
The two young men then attempted to seclude themselves with the two girls, demanding sexual relations. Immediately after the incident the two teenagers reported the incidentbut the boys have always reiterated that the relationship was consensual.
However, six years later, both were sentenced in first instance, despite their lawyer had asked for absolution for his clients due to the non-existence of the fact. The lawyer has already announced his intention to appeal against the sentence.
Photo source: Facebook
Source: notizie.virgilio.it
