Michele Padovano, a former Juventus and Napoli player who was once international with Italy, has been acquitted in Turin of the charge of drug trafficking for which he was convicted in 2006, according to a daily publication. Brandfrom Spain.
The forward, who hung up his boots in 2001, was involved in 2006 in an extensive investigation by the Turin Prosecutor’s Office into hashish trafficking.
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The footballer was accused of having financed a drug trafficking network between Spain and Italy managed by his childhood friend Luca Mosole.
Padovano, who always defended that the 35,000 euros ($36,000) he lent his friend was to buy a horse and not to finance drug trafficking, was sentenced at first instance to six years and eight months in prison for drug trafficking. : “I think it is unfair, so we will surely appeal. It is an exaggerated sentence”.
In an interview granted to La RepubblicaPadovano explained: “They accused me of having financed drug trafficking; instead, I only lent 40,000 euros ($41,000) to a childhood friend who may have been a criminal, but is still a friend. He told me that he needed them for a debt … ”.
Michele Padovano, after being acquitted of the drug trafficking charge, said: “Today the darkness has gone; almost blinded me.”
“16 years ago, a click turned off the light of my life. Today the darkness is gone; almost blinded me. My heart warmed again and I began to cry. I thank the justice system, my lawyers, my wife, my son and all those who have always believed in me,” Padovano declared in the Corriere of Turin after knowing the result of the appeal.
“We are very happy that the in-depth examination by the Court of Appeal has finally given Padovano back his dignity and his life. We have never doubted the innocence of our client, who had the strength to continue believing in justice despite such a long, complicated and turbulent matter”, declared his defense lawyers, Michele Galasso and Giacomo Francini, in words reproduced La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Padovano’s goal against Real Madrid in the 1995-1996 Champions League
Fran Villalobos recalls in chapter XI of the serial Bad Boys FC that a goal from Padovano helped Juventus to eliminate Real Madrid from the Champions League in the 1995-96 season.
The whites had won the first leg at the Bernabéu with a goal from Raúl, but La Vecchia Signora came from behind in the second leg with goals from Del Piero and Padovano.
In a one-on-one with Cañizares, he crossed it next to the post, making Alkorta’s attempt to save under the sticks useless.
That Juve ended up being European champion. In the final against Ajax, Padovano came on in the 77th minute for Ravanelli and scored Juve’s third penalty in the shootout.
Teams and winners of Michele Padovano
Michele Padovano (1966) played throughout his career for Asti TSC, Cosenza, Pisa Napoli, Genoa, Reggiana, Juventus, Crystal Palace, Metz and Como, winning Seria A (1997), Italian Super Cup (1995 and 1997) , Champions League (1996), European Super Cup (1996) and Intercontinental Cup (1996). (D)
Source: Eluniverso
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
