Donnarumma Invites Boy Beaten by Opponent’s Dad to Italy Camp

Florence: Italy goalkeeper and captain Gigio Donnarumma on Wednesday invited a boy badly beaten by an opponent’s father after a brawl broke out after an under 14 soccer match outside Turin last weekend to the national team’s training base at Coverciano near Florence. The youth player, a 13-year-old goalkeeper named Thomas, ended up in the hospital, where doctors diagnosed a fractured malleolus (ankle bone) and a bruised cheekbone after the match at Collegno between CSF Carmagnola and Volpiano Pianese.

According to Ansa News Agency, Donnarumma addressed the incident during a news conference before Italy’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel. “We want to send a message to little Thomas,” Donnarumma said. “We condemn all forms of violence. We await him at Coverciano.”

Donnarumma emphasized the importance of addressing such incidents, stating, “Some things should never happen, that’s why I’m sending Thomas a message from me and all my teammates.” The invitation to the training base is seen
as a gesture of support and solidarity for the young player affected by the violence.