Mussolini's celebration: FIGC opens an investigation

The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has launched an investigation following the events that occurred during the Serie B match between Juve Stabia e Cesena, played on Sunday afternoon. Some fans present at the stadium reportedly celebrated the goal scored by Romano Floriani Mussolini, great-grandson of dictator Benito Mussolini, by raising their arms to the sky. A gesture that raised concerns because of its immediate association with the so-called “Roman salute,” one of the most well-known symbols of fascism.

The celebration was interpreted by some as an act of homage to the fascist regime, given the player's surname, which recalls the figure of Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism. The gesture itself, however, is a fairly frequent phenomenon in Italian stadiums, where fans celebrate goals with various types of movements and salutes, but in this specific case the reference to fascism has created a strong controversy.

FIGC opens investigation

The FIGC Prosecutor's Office has therefore launched an investigation to ascertain the nature of the gesture and the context in which it occurred. After the results of the investigation, it will be assessed whether to adopt any disciplinary measures against those responsible.

The investigation was confirmed to the AFP news agency by a source within the FIGC, who stressed that the Federation is treating the case with the utmost attention, given the sensitivity of the issue and the importance of maintaining a sporting environment free from any form of incitement to hatred or reference to dangerous ideologies.

The episode has sparked mixed reactions, with some considering the gesture harmless and limited to a passion for football, while others interpret it as a clear reference to symbols of the fascist past. In a social and political context increasingly attentive to issues related to civil rights and historical memory, episodes of this kind draw attention to the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for dignity and collective history. Football, as always, remains a battleground for issues that go far beyond the game itself.