Surreal climate at the end of the race on the Reggina front. Despite the diktat imposed on Reggina members, we still try to hear from someone. We reach the owner Nino Ballarino, while still inside the pitch he is trying to get rid of the bitterness: «No, excuse me, but I’m not talking. What should I tell you that today we lost our championship? No, look, don’t be offended, but I have nothing to declare. In fact, I can’t tell you that this is most likely the last time I set foot in a stadium. My experience at the helm of Reggina ends here.” Then, he apologizes again and returns to entrench himself in his silence. Those who arrived inside the field before us swear they heard him say: «From this moment on all our unders will take to the field. Only them.” Nearby, but not exactly with Ballarino, not far away, is the president Virgilio Minniti, and he too has no desire to talk: «Have the director of the technical area and the coach explain to you what happened today». Maybe, we reply, if only press blackout hadn’t been imposed on all members: «You’re right, but what do you want to hear from us managers after this performance that makes us say goodbye to our legitimate dreams of returning to Serie C? No, look, don’t make me talk and don’t make me say what I’m really thinking in these moments.” And he bids us farewell with the face of someone who has just witnessed a football disaster. We try our luck in the changing rooms, where the technical director Pippo Bonanno and the coach Alfio Torrisi are lingering. The response of both, however, is identical: “They told us not to speak to the press.” Greetings and farewell C series.
Reggina’s note: “Never released interviews or statements in the terms reported”
“The undersigned Antonino Ballarino and Virgilio Minniti – we read in a note released by the Amaranth company – in reference to articles appearing in some newspapers, deny in the most categorical way that they have ever given interviews or statements in the terms reported. These contents are completely baseless and seriously damaging to their image and reputation, as well as that of Reggina”.