Rome, 4 Mar. (LaPresse) – “The threats suffered by Lucrezia Stefanini are a very serious and intolerable matter. Sending images of weapons, knowing personal data, and intimidating an athlete represent a disturbing escalation that has nothing to do with sport.” This is what Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation (FITP), said regarding the threats reported in a video by Italian tennis player Lucrezia Stefanini before her first-round qualifying match at Indian Wells, lost against Andorran Jimenez Kasintseva. “Anyone who thinks they can influence a match through fear, or target a player for betting-related interests, must know that they are operating in criminal territory. These behaviors deserve an immediate judicial response. The Federation stands by Lucrezia without hesitation. We demand the identification and punishment of those responsible and insist that the international system drastically strengthen mechanisms to protect athletes. Sport must not be touched. And anyone who threatens it must face the consequences,” he added.
© Copyright LaPresse
