Benevento President Oreste Vigorito vented his frustration at a one-year doping ban for captain Fabio Lucioni after their doctor confessed to his error.
Lucioni tested positive for Clostebol after the match with Torino on September 10.
Today the verdict was passed down and he’ll sit out a one-year ban, while their chief medic Walter Giorgione has been suspended for four years.
Benevento President Oreste Vigorito vented his frustration at a one-year doping ban for captain Fabio Lucioni after their doctor confessed to his error.
Lucioni tested positive for Clostebol after the match with Torino on September 10.
Today the verdict was passed down and he’ll sit out a one-year ban, while their chief medic Walter Giorgione has been suspended for four years.
Giorgione confessed he had applied an anti-scarring spray that was in his personal possession and not part of the Benevento medical kit, which contained a banned substance.
“I was afraid Lucioni would be banned. The initial reaction was of great sadness, then thinking of the damage done to the club…” Vigorito told Sky Sport Italia.
“Fabio is a lad who manages to keep the group united, to make them smile and realise the dream of a lad who reached the top flight at the age of 30 and wanted to cling to it at all costs.
“I think certain elements need to be evaluated when passing down sentences. The judges must stick to the rules, but also be human and remember the justice system is not infallible.
“The minimum punishment should be given to those who are not guilty. The medic himself confessed he made the mistake and was the only one responsible for this failed doping test.
“It’s a bolt from the blue and could change our entire season. I think it’s right that we make an appeal, as Fabio is someone I’d bet my life on.
“Now the club is damaged and we are forced to seek a replacement, which isn’t easy, and use up precious economic resources. We are condemned in silence, as the club is forced to pay the consequences.”