The Piedmontese Provincial Committee`s sports judge has penalized Thomas Sarritzu of Volpiano Pianese, a club official, and an opposing player.
A one-year disqualification has been handed down by the sports judge of the Turin provincial committee, Roberta Lapa, to Thomas Sarritzu, a 13-year-old goalkeeper for Volpiano. Sarritzu was previously assaulted by an opponent`s father following an Under-14 tournament match against Carmagnola. A video, widely circulated on social media, shows the Volpiano-Pianese goalkeeper striking his Carmagnola counterpart, observed by the young referee. This initial act of aggression was followed by the intervention of the opponent`s father, who then assaulted Thomas, resulting in a fractured ankle and facial trauma for the young goalkeeper.
VIDEO: The pursuit and then the violence: watch the video of the assault on the young goalkeeper
Disqualification Details
The sports judicial body underscored the severe nature of violent conduct among young athletes, which fundamentally undermines the healthy principles of sports based on fairness and respect for opponents. Despite acknowledging existing legal provisions, and recognizing the exceptional and despicable character of the incident, the committee — composed of sports judge Roberta Lapa and deputies Gianluca D`Angelo, Maurizio Capuani, and Gerardo Orlandella — deemed it necessary to impose a significant and exemplary sanction. Consequently, Thomas Sarritzu was disqualified because, at the end of the match, he engaged in violent and unsportsmanlike conduct, initiating a brawl and striking an opposing player with slaps and punches to the side and back while he was on the ground. This behavior escalated, leading to a further act of violence by an unauthorized individual who improperly entered the playing field.
Similar one-year disqualifications were also issued. Cristian Barbero of Carmagnola received a ban for his violent and unsportsmanlike conduct, actively participating in the brawl instigated by his opponent and striking another player in the back of the head. This action further inflamed the atmosphere and facilitated the entry of unauthorized individuals onto the field. Angelo Sarritzu, a Volpiano-Pianese official, was also disqualified for acting violently and scuffling with an unauthorized person on the field, rather than intervening to calm the situation. Finally, fines of 150 euros were imposed on each club, and 200 euros on Collegno, the tournament organizer.
Expressions of Support and Aftermath
Thomas Sarritzu will therefore be banned from playing until September 2026 due to the sports judge`s decision that he “instigated a brawl.” Following the initial severe incident of violence he experienced, Sarritzu had received numerous expressions of solidarity. Notably, Gigio Donnarumma, captain of the Italian national team, extended an invitation for him to visit Coverciano on October 6, and a similar message of support came from Mile Svilar, AS Roma`s goalkeeper. Conversely, the father who assaulted Thomas had publicly apologized through an interview with Gazzetta, explaining, “I made a mistake and I`m ashamed, but I was scared for my son.”
