Disciplinary Court Imposes Twenty-Point Penalty on ACR Messina 1900
ACR Messina 1900 has been docked 20 points in the standings by the National Federal Tribunal’s Disciplinary Section, dropping the club into last place at minus three points. The ruling stems from a federal prosecutor’s referral on August 20 concerning administrative irregularities in player registrations under former leadership.
Il fascicolo era stato aperto dopo due esposti: quello congiunto di Sancataldese e Acireale, presentato il 16 aprile dall’avvocato Salvatore Pirrello, e quello della Reggina, del 20 aprile, a firma del professor Ferruccio Maria Sbarbaro. The tribunal ultimately settled on a 20-point penalty and a 1,800-euro fine against the club.
Inhibitions and Disqualification Sanctions Handed Down to Former Officials and Players
Beyond the team’s points deduction, the disciplinary ruling penalizes several individuals associated with the club’s administration and roster. Former president Stefano Alaimo received a two-year ban from football-related activities, starting from his first eligible registration. Player Andrea Sorrentino was handed a 20-match suspension for official fixtures. Additional suspensions include one-match bans for Alessandro Cirino and Moustapha Sambou, alongside a two-match ban for Matheus Reis Daquinto.
The core legal argument centered on Alaimo’s ten-month suspension previously issued by the tribunal. Under sporting jurisprudence, paperwork signed by an official during an active ban carries retroactive nullity.
Club Prepares Legal Appeal While Curva Sud Unveils Boycott
ACR Messina 1900 strongly rejected the verdict, announcing plans to appeal the decision to the Federal Court of Appeal and pursue legal action for financial and reputational damages. In an official statement, the club maintained that the current ownership acquired the sporting title through lawful judicial procedures and should not pay for administrative actions that had previously received ratification from the National Amateur League and the Italian Football Federation.
Meanwhile, the club faces friction away from the courtroom as well. MessinaToday reported that the Curva Sud ultras group announced a boycott of home matches at the Giovanni Celeste stadium, citing displeasure over ticket pricing, stadium logistics, and the club’s overall direction. The supporters stated they would stay away from home fixtures until they perceived proper respect for the city and organized groups.
Municipal Support and the Standings Realignment
The penalty drastically alters the landscape of the regional Eccellenza division. Messina now sits at the bottom of the table with minus three points, having earned 17 points on the pitch prior to the ruling.
Messina Federico Basile expressed solidarity with the club and its supporters, acknowledging the ownership’s financial investment in reviving local football. The municipal administration confirmed its intention to support the club’s institutional and legal efforts to overturn the penalty as the case moves to the Federal Court of Appeal.
Keep reading
