Valerio Antonini, the president of both Trapani's football club and the Trapani Shark basketball team, was assaulted with kicks and punches by a supporter on Friday afternoon in the historic center of Trapani, Sicily.
According to a statement released by Trapani Calcio, the attacker is described as "a well-known figure within the organized supporter groups." The incident occurred as Antonini was stepping out of his car in a small square in the city's old town. The assailant reportedly struck the president repeatedly and then fled the scene.
Emergency services transported Antonini to the emergency room of Trapani's Sant'Antonio Abate Hospital, where medical examinations revealed a fractured rib. After receiving treatment, the president was discharged and later went to the Trapani police headquarters to file a formal complaint and assist with the ongoing investigation.
The attack appears to be the culmination of growing tension between Antonini and a segment of the fanbase, fueled by a series of crises affecting his two clubs. Trapani Shark was recently expelled from Serie A — Italy's top basketball league — after the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) revoked its affiliation. Meanwhile, Trapani Calcio was relegated to Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football, following a string of points deductions imposed by sports justice authorities. Adding to the friction, Antonini's decision to move the football team's home matches to Palermo's Velodrome stadium — over an unresolved dispute regarding the management of the Stadio Provinciale — further angered supporters.
Local authorities are now investigating the assault. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness statements in an effort to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Sources
- https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/altri-campionati/25-07-2026/aggredito-valerio-antonini-presidente-trapani-calci-pugni-tifoso.shtml
