The threat is taken very seriously. The leaders of the Sampdoria football club in Genoa (Lombardy) discovered a package containing a pig’s head and a threatening message in front of the club’s headquarters.
According to the Italian media, including the Ansa agency and the Republic, this anonymous post specifically targeted ex-president Massimo Ferrero, still owner of Sampdoria, and current vice-president Antonio Romei. “The next heads will be yours,” it read.
This episode comes during a very troubled season for Sampdoria, in the storm on the ground (19th and relegation in Serie A), as outside. The club, after having delayed paying certain salaries, notably had to recently negotiate an agreement with its players to avoid a sporting sanction.
In a statement, Sampdoria expressed its “deep outrage at yet another serious act of intimidation that took place this morning (Saturday) at its headquarters”.
An “attack on one member of the board of directors constitutes an attack on all”, added the club, recalling that it was in “a delicate phase” while “awaiting the transition to a new owner”.
The recently arrested ex-president
Its current boss, Massimo Ferrero, had to resign from the presidency in December 2021 after being arrested in connection with a fraudulent bankruptcy case. According to several media, he would be ready to disengage completely by selling the club “blucerchiato” (the bruises circled in reference to their outfit).
The Italian football league, Serie A, also expressed its “solidarity” with Sampdoria, “target of an unfortunate episode, to be condemned in the strongest terms”.
“Islandish gestures like these are not acceptable, as they tarnish the image of those who love sport and football. There cannot and must not be room for these threats,” the body added in a statement.
