Totti's Moscow trip ignites political controversy in Italy
Francesco Totti, a former AS Roma football player, sparked debate in Italy by planning to attend an event in Moscow. This decision has faced criticism and calls for reconsideration.
Francesco Totti, a legend of Italian football, found himself at the centre of controversy after announcing plans to participate in a commercial event in Moscow. Italian media outlets, including "La Gazzetta dello Sport" and "La Stampa," are extensively commenting on this decision, highlighting its political dimension.
Billboards have appeared on the streets of Moscow announcing Totti's participation in a sports event organised by a betting company, scheduled for 8 April. The advertisements used his image wearing a jersey with the number 10, leading to a wave of criticism in Italy. "Italy loves you, don't go there" and "It's a disgrace" – such comments appear on social media. "Captain, what do you want to do?" – asks one fan, quoted by the Italian press.
Andrea Massaroni, a centre-left politician from Rome, appealed to Totti to cancel his trip to Moscow. He emphasised that Totti symbolises positive values and should not be associated with a regime that violates human rights.
Stay on the right side of history, urged Massaroni.
Totti facing international tensions
"La Repubblica" notes that Totti's decision to travel to Russia was announced during "peak international tensions" related to the war in Ukraine. The Russian foreign ministry is sharply criticising Italian President Sergio Mattarella for his stance on Moscow's aggression against a sovereign country.
Rome's "Il Messaggero" reports that Totti has not directly responded to the criticism but considers the trip purely business-related. His circle reminds us that many Italian companies continue to do business with Russia. Totti is expected to make a final decision regarding the trip in the coming days.
