"You have to pay that debt," the Santapaoliano boss at the "service" of the former president of the soccer team

On April 10, the Court of Appeal of Catania will decide on the request for reopening of the investigative phase. The second-degree trial against the boss santapaoliano Orazio Santonocito, Alfio Caruso, and Daniele Notarrigo (who was president of Acireale Calcio for a few months in 2017) is entering a crucial phase, as they were convicted two years ago for aggravated extortion. The defense attorneys who appealed the ruling of the Etna court are requesting a new trial phase to submit documents and evidence. However, the lawyers for the civil parties - attorneys Francesco Messina, Gianluca Costantino, and Rossana Petralia - have fought back and asked the Court to reject the request.

The judicial matter is delicate. It is also part of a more complex investigation that will lead to the Old Horse blitz, concerning the dealings of butcher Santonocito, a prominent mafia figure in San Pietro Clarenza. The boss is alleged to have been involved in a debt collection related to the governance of Acireale Calcio. Notarrigo allegedly demanded from a businessman (who was only nominally part of the football club) the payment of a portion of a tax bill that had been notified to him for unpaid taxes during the time he was at the top of the football club. The request was unsuccessful. At that point, threats and intimidation followed. Until the pressures from Santonocito began. Thus, the trap in the butcher shop was set. Investigators found 800 euros in the pocket of the santapaoliano, which was deemed a portion of the debt to be honored, approximately 40,000 euros. The victim has been supported in this process by the Libera Impresa association, which has joined the proceedings as a civil party.