The agent of Palermo’s Fabrizio Miccoli has promised to clarify his client’s position to the authorities following shocking reports linking the 33-year-old striker to alleged Mafia activity.
The player is reported to be under investigation as a result of his friendship with Mauro Lauricella, son of Cosa Nostra boss Antonino Lauricella.
The striker admits his friendship with Mauro but denies being aware of his Mafia connections.
The ex-Italy international is also said to have insulted anti-Mafia judge Giovanni Falcone who was assassinated by a roadside bomb in 1992.
These sensational developments arose after La Reppublica published transcripts of supposed wiretaps of Miccoli’s telephone calls in which he is purported to have referred to “that piece of dirt Falcone.”
The newspaper also reported that the extortion investigation relates to claims that the footballer asked Lauricella to retrieve money owed to him by a nightclub.
The origin of the wiretaps is unknown and Miccoli’s agent Francesco Calindaro has refused to comment on them, as he and his client have not yet had access to them.
Calindaro also promised to co-operate with the investigation and said, “We are at the full disposal of the authorities.
“We have already organised a meeting with the magistrates to clear everything up.”
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini described the situation as a “great shame” saying: “Knowing Miccoli, I doubt he could attempt to extort anyone.”
Zamparini however refused to jump to conclusions, adding, “We need to know exactly what was said.”
