Fascist Salute Spectators Controversy When 'Lee Player' Scores...Why?

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When Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini's great-grandchild Romano Floriani Mussolini (21, Juve Stavia) scored his first professional debut goal, the crowd performed a group of "fascist salutes."

Romano scored in a Serie B (second division) home match against Chesena at the Lomeo Menti Stadium in Castelam Maredistavia in southern Italy on the 22nd (local time). It was Romano's first professional goal.

When Romano scored, the stadium announcer repeatedly shouted, "Romano scored." The home crowd responded by saying "Mussolini" and made a "fascist salute," which immediately became controversial, according to the daily Corrieredela Sera.

This way of saluting, which extends the arms obliquely with the palms down, is also called a 'fascist salute' as a gesture used during the rule of dictator Mussolini, which caught Italy into the devastation of World War II.

Romano is the son of Mussolini's granddaughter Alessandra Mussolini. Alessandra, a former actor, was a member of the Forward Italy (FI) and served as a senator (2013-2014) and a member of the European Parliament (2014-2024).

In past interviews, Romano has expressed his willingness to be evaluated only by his own skills, not by his veins. However, contrary to this meaning, it seems that it is hard to remove the label 'Mussolini blood line'.

Mussolini is a dictator who led Italy into a fascist system in the 20th century, and his name is still at the center of debate in Italy.

For this reason, Romano is not just one promising soccer player, but a symbol that connects the past and the present. Local media reported that attention is being paid to whether Romano will be able to establish his identity as a soccer player beyond the shadow of his historical heritage.

Reporter Lee Yu Na from Digital News Team.