12/04/2024

In 2017, the La Favorita racetrack in Palermo was closed following an anti-mafia injunction against the managing company, Ires.

In 2021, Mayor Leoluca Orlando reopened it with great fanfare, having handed over its management to Sipet, a company based in Monsummano Terme (PT).

Today, the CEO of Sipet is under investigation for extortion aggravated by mafia methods towards two professionals who had worked for the company. Moreover, it appears that the management of the racetrack has been heavily influenced by Mimmo Russo (a former city councillor of Fratelli d’Italia, arrested for external collusion with the mafia and political vote trading), Gregorio Marchese (son of mafia hitman Filippo), and Matteo Siragusa, a close associate of Russo.

Just two days ago, commenting on a major operation by the Guardia di Finanza at the Pisa racetrack, we stated that horse racing is inherently a criminogenic activity, potentially leading to serious crimes ranging from animal abuse to various other violations. Today, we have yet another confirmation.

Does our government still intend to promote these activities, or will it finally listen to us?

source: La Repubblica

photo: Gianfranco Goria, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Deed