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Perugia presents Gaddafi to press
Torre Alfina, June 30: Serie A side Perugia paraded the most unorthodox signing of Italy`s closed season when they presented Al-Saadi Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, to the press.
Torre Alfina, June 30: Serie A side Perugia paraded the most unorthodox signing of Italy's closed season when they presented Al-Saadi Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, to the press.
Journalists, club officials and TV crews crowded into the courtyard of the 13th century castle in the village of Torre Alfina in Umbria on Sunday (June 29), to watch Gaddafi pose with the Perugia shirt that he will wear next season, having signed a two-year contract with the club. While Perugia's president Luciano Gaucci greeted his new player, a specially invited group of fans chanted and unfurled a banner that read "Welcome Saadi". Gaddafi's passion for football is well known. As player/owner of Libyan first division side Al-Ittihad the striker scored 25 goals in the last two seasons, and as president of the Libyan football federation he heads Libya's bid for the 2010 World Cup. Nonetheless, at the age of 28 the move to one of Europe's most competitive leagues seemed unlikely for the striker, especially a move to Perugia -- a club that has made a name for itself as a springboard for young talent.
Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata began his Serie A career at Perugia. Last season's star player, striker Fabrizio Miccoli, earned a call up for the Azzurri after a series of impressive performances.
Cynicism surrounding the move grew after ex-Libyan national team coach Franco Scoglio made disparaging remarks about Gaddafi's skills as a footballer.
"When I was coach of Libya I called him up a few times but I'd prefer to say nothing about his qualities as a player," Scoglio told reporters earlier this month.
Gaucci, however, denied that Gaddafi's arrival at Perugia was simply a publicity stunt.
"We don't need any publicity because we already have enough with Carraro and other issues. We don't do politics. We don't need contacts for economic reasons. We have never asked anything from anybody." he told reporters on Sunday.
Bureau Report
Journalists, club officials and TV crews crowded into the courtyard of the 13th century castle in the village of Torre Alfina in Umbria on Sunday (June 29), to watch Gaddafi pose with the Perugia shirt that he will wear next season, having signed a two-year contract with the club. While Perugia's president Luciano Gaucci greeted his new player, a specially invited group of fans chanted and unfurled a banner that read "Welcome Saadi". Gaddafi's passion for football is well known. As player/owner of Libyan first division side Al-Ittihad the striker scored 25 goals in the last two seasons, and as president of the Libyan football federation he heads Libya's bid for the 2010 World Cup. Nonetheless, at the age of 28 the move to one of Europe's most competitive leagues seemed unlikely for the striker, especially a move to Perugia -- a club that has made a name for itself as a springboard for young talent.
Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata began his Serie A career at Perugia. Last season's star player, striker Fabrizio Miccoli, earned a call up for the Azzurri after a series of impressive performances.
Cynicism surrounding the move grew after ex-Libyan national team coach Franco Scoglio made disparaging remarks about Gaddafi's skills as a footballer.
"When I was coach of Libya I called him up a few times but I'd prefer to say nothing about his qualities as a player," Scoglio told reporters earlier this month.
Gaucci, however, denied that Gaddafi's arrival at Perugia was simply a publicity stunt.
"We don't need any publicity because we already have enough with Carraro and other issues. We don't do politics. We don't need contacts for economic reasons. We have never asked anything from anybody." he told reporters on Sunday.
Bureau Report