Twenty years ago the team painted Omolade’s face
the amarcord
In 1958 Domenico Modugno in Sanremo painted his face blue, in 2001 Treviso preferred to do it (literally) black. And he did it out of solidarity against the racist howls that in Terni, the Sunday before, had hit the Nigerian Akeem Omolade, at whose entrance the ultras left Liberati screaming “We don’t want black!” A shame from which even Gentilini somehow distanced himself. It’s been 20 years since those black faces: June 3, 2001, at Tenni there is Treviso-Genoa, Serie B. The idea comes to striker Roberto Murgita during the warm-up: “Come on, let’s give Akeem a gift, why don’t we paint ourselves face black? ». Ok but there are a few minutes left, what do we use? Idea: burn the prosecco corks to use them as charcoals. Someone also finds a non-indelible marker and away, all with black faces, including Mr. Sandreani. Imagine the expression of the fans when they see the players come out of the tunnel: “But coss if gai fate on the muzzle? “Then the meaning becomes clear: we are all black because we don’t want to have anything to do with racism.” There was a certain climate in Treviso at that time that was not exactly positive, also for political reasons – remembers William Pianu, then full-back – before that episode in Terni there had been another one in Reggio Emilia with Piacenza (not to mention the buu in Pelado, ed). So Roberto thought about that and we immediately agreed ». A courageous gesture, in an era where racial intolerance was not yet adequately punished. Brave and sensational: the photo of Treviso in black went around Italy. “Not only from Italy, the IOC awarded the company with a plaque,” reveals Pianu. The match with Genoa ended 2-2 and sanctioned the mathematical relegation of the Biancocelesti, Akeem scored the 2-1. In the end, hardly anyone talked about the relegation, everyone congratulated the team and Omolade. Who the following year went to Turin. –
Silvano Focarelli