Great grandson of Benito Mussolini scores in Serie B game; controversial celebrations prompt investigation

Great grandson of Benito Mussolini scores in Serie B game; controversial celebrations prompt investigation

Romano, the great grandson of Italy’s former Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, scored the winner for Serie B side Juve Stabia over Cesena, prompting controversial celebrations at the Stadio Romeo Menti on Monday.

The goal, scored by Romano in the 21st minute, saw several fans greet him with the fascist salute as his name was announced at the stadium after the goal.

Juve Stabia, however, rejecting any connection between the gestures of its fans and fascism.

“For 117 years, the club has celebrated the goals of its team,” it said. “When the name of the scoring player is announced, we raise our arms to the sky as a sign of the team that is in our heart and which represents the city. This was once again the case with this goal,” the club said in a statement on its website.

The Italian Football Federation, FIGC, later issued a statement saying that it will investigate the whole episode before coming to a conclusion. “The federal prosecutor’s office will send a report to the sports judge of Serie B for a ruling,” a spokesperson of the Federation said in a statement.

Romano started his footballing journey at Roma, before moving to Lazio, where he graduated from the youth academy and signed a professional contract in 2021. He was named in Lazio’s matchday squad against Hellas Verona, but was not used as a substitute.

He spent the 2023-24 season on loan at third-division side Pescara and is plying his trade at second-division side Juve Stabia, again on loan from Lazio.

Romano’s mother Alessandra Mussolini, is a former Member of Parliament, and founder of Italian conservative party Social Action. However, Romano has never expressed his intentions of getting into politics.