The Siena court has sentenced Genoa midfielder Manolo Portanova to six years in jail for participating in a gang rape.
The 22-year-old was accused of raping a 21-year-old student during a house party in Siena in May 2021 along with his uncle Alessio Langella, 23 and two of his friends, Alessandro Cappiello, 25, and a 17-year-old boy whose case is being dealt by the Juvenile Prosecutor in Florence.
As reported by La Repubblica, both Portanova and Langella requested a fast-track trial and were sentenced to six years in jail today. They have also been ordered to pay €120,000 compensation to the victim and her family.
In a fast-track trial, the defendant skips the hearing in court in order to obtain a considerable sentence reduction and cut the duration of the trial. It’s not an admission of guilt. The Italian midfielder has plead not guilty so he can appeal against the decision.
Cappiello was committed to trial today, having not requested a fast-track trial.
Portanova joined Genoa on a permanent €10m transfer from Juventus in January 2021.
A product of Lazio and Juventus’ academy, the Italian midfielder has made 12 appearances in Serie B this season, scoring one goal.
Son of former Serie A defender Daniele, Manolo made his Serie A debut with the Old Lady in 2019 and has made 30 appearances in Italy’s top flight.