Potenza, Italy – A visit by Italy’s Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, to Potenza took an unexpected turn on Tuesday evening when the helicopter transporting him landed directly on a local football pitch, damaging the synthetic surface. The incident has forced the temporary closure of the FIGC-owned field, disrupting training and match schedules for several youth and amateur teams.
The field, located at the entrance to the city, sustained damage when the AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter, operated by the Guardia di Finanza, descended and briefly hovered before landing. According to reports, the force of the downwash and the weight of the aircraft lifted portions of the synthetic turf, leaving the surface uneven and unplayable. Images circulating on social media show visible distortions in the playing surface.
The Comitato Regionale FIGC Basilicata (Basilicata Regional Committee of the Italian Football Federation) swiftly responded by closing the facility indefinitely until repairs can be completed. This decision impacts numerous local football clubs and youth academies that regularly utilize the pitch for training and matches. Teams are now scrambling to find alternative facilities.
The incident occurred during a visit by Minister Nordio to Potenza to discuss the upcoming referendum on justice reform scheduled for March 22nd and 23rd. The minister’s arrival, initially planned as a standard institutional visit, was marked by the unusual approach of landing the helicopter directly on the sports field.
Initial estimates suggest the cost of the helicopter flight from Bari to Taranto and then to Potenza amounted to approximately €4,000 in fuel – a figure significantly higher than the cost of transportation by car. The damage to the field adds another financial burden to the visit.
Emilio Fittipaldi, President of the Comitato Regionale FIGC Basilicata, has not yet issued a formal statement but is expected to provide further details following a site inspection. The inspection will assess the extent of the damage and determine the timeline and cost for restoring the playing surface to a usable condition.
The incident has sparked debate and criticism, with some questioning the necessity of using a helicopter for the minister’s travel and the choice of landing site. Parliamentarians from the center-left opposition have reportedly filed parliamentary inquiries seeking clarification from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Economy regarding the leverage of public funds for what they deem a politically motivated trip.
The FIGC Basilicata has confirmed that the closure of the field will remain in effect until further notice. Local clubs are working to reschedule training sessions and matches, but the disruption is expected to impact the youth football calendar in the region. The long-term effects on the field’s usability and the financial implications of the repairs remain to be seen.
This incident raises questions about logistical planning and risk assessment for official visits, particularly when involving sensitive infrastructure like sports facilities. The focus now shifts to a swift and effective repair of the damaged pitch, allowing local football teams to resume their activities as soon as possible.
The next step will be the assessment of the damage by the FIGC Basilicata, with a timeline for repairs expected to be announced shortly. Local football fans and club officials will be closely following developments, eager to see the field restored to its former condition.
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