[ FOOTBALL LIVE ]
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - A number of Reggiana have threatened
to return their season tickets after the promoted Serie B side
announced that they have signed midfielder Manolo Portanova on
loan from Genoa.
The 23-year-old is appealing against a six-year prison term for
gang rape.
He was convicted last year of involvement in the gang rape of a
young woman in an apartment in Siena in May 2021.
He says he is innocent and the appeal trial is scheduled to
start in November.
He has already joined his new team mates at the Reggio Emilia
club.
A number of politicians have expressed concern about the move.
The city council said: "we respect the assumption of innocence
until proven guilty, but we also understand the negative
reaction as the culture of non-violence is strong in this city".
In Italy convictions are not considered definitive until the
appeals process has been exhausted.
Genoa, who won promotion from Serie B to Serie A last season,
were in talks to loan Portanova to Bari during the January
transfer window but the move fell through because of protests by
the southern side's supporters. (ANSA).
