by Andrea Sereni
The former footballer, now vice-president of the Lega Pro, recounts the meeting with Fabrizio Maiello, who in 1994 attempted to kidnap him: At the beginning there was a bit of embarrassment. He cried the whole time. In the end we even joked about it
He barely talks about it. This is the story of how her smile changed a man’s life, and protects it as one does with precious things. Thirty years have passed, yet when on Sunday Gianfranco Zola found himself facing Fabrizio Maiello the emotion was strong. As if time had stopped, the gazes meet again, from 1994 to today. People change, eyes don’t. That time it was an attempted kidnapping, he was a fugitive who wanted to kidnap the player and then ask for a ransom from his club, Parma. Now the embrace of those who make a point. I wanted to feel his genuineness, explains Zola, a past as a football champion and a present as vice-president of the Lega Pro. They met on Sunday before Cagliari-Bologna, in the courtyard of the Emmaus family home, near Elmas airport.
Zola, why did you decide to meet the man who wanted to kidnap you?
I needed to look him in the eyes. I had to see him, hear the truth about him.
How did it go?
At first it was a bit strange, there was a bit of embarrassment. We shook hands, we talked a lot. He cried the whole time. I understood that in front of me there was a person who had suffered and wanted to make peace with himself. He impressed me a lot.
Can you tell us what you talked about?
He told me his story. You helped a person in prison, you got busy. I was also amazed by his way of dribbling the ball for hours in a narrow space. Seeing me allowed him to close a circle.
What do you remember about the day of the attempted kidnapping?
I was out and about with my wife in Parma. I had noticed that a car had been following us for a while, but I didn’t give it any thought. I had to get petrol, we stop at the petrol station and I see that the car behind us also stops. I thought they wanted to ask me for an autograph and were hesitant, undecided. So I approached him and said: “Hi guys, can I do something? I can help you?”. Fabrizio Maiello came towards me, then stopped and took out his identity card, which I signed for him. Only later did I learn how they had been planning the kidnapping for some time.
Didn’t you see that Maiello was holding a gun?
Absolutely no. She had hidden it well, behind her back. I didn’t notice anything.
When did you realize what was really happening that day?
I learned about it from the newspapers, years later, when Fabrizio was arrested.
On February 9th you will celebrate your first year as vice president of the Lega Pro. Are you happy to have accepted this challenge?
Yes, a lot. I brought my experience and my ideas. I’m giving a hand to the world that has allowed me to get into the football that matters, and the balance so far has been positive. The objective was to increase the attractiveness and with it the revenues of the C series, the results are encouraging. Attendance at the stadiums increased by 40 percent compared to last season, general interest is growing, also thanks to the contribution of Sky. what we wanted to achieve.
Plans for the future?
We are working to incentivize clubs to invest more in young people, thus creating value. We need to plan for the long term, not for immediate success, to have more lasting solidity. We will soon propose new rules for next year, I see great willingness from the companies. There is a lot to do, but we are satisfied.
Can Cagliari find time for his team?
Yes, I saw Maiello on Sunday before the match against Bologna.
What do you have left of your meeting?
The ability to change. We have all made, make and will make mistakes in life. We are made to make mistakes, but it’s nice to see people who work hard to fix it, like Fabrizio.
Have you forgiven him?
Of course, at the end of the chat we joked about the attempted kidnapping! I will bring our embrace with me.
Corriere della Sera also on Whatsapp. sufficient click here to subscribe to the channel and always be updated.
January 16, 2024 (changed January 16, 2024 | 07:07)
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED