A special initiative that was thought of by Libera and US Acli and was accepted with enthusiasm by the FIGC and the head coach Prandelli, with the intention of leaving a message to the young people that do not use the field because of intimidations from the local clans.  Supporting the FIGC there is also Rino Gattuso, who has been far from the football fields for months, originally from Calabria and a symbol of the 2006 World Champion National team. 

Accompanied by the FIGC general manager Valentini, by the head coach Prandelli and all the National team staff,  president Abete brought the message from the FIGC, words that made people reflect and focused on places like Rizziconi so that things could change: “We are moved and proud – said Abete – for having taken part in this initiative, a way of transfer ring certain values and living help to this region to believe in the future. This is an important moment for our Country that celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Unity of Italy, I hope this will bring luck to everyone and in particular to you who have been battling this situation for years”.

The message by Don Ciotti of Libera was clear and full of meaning: “We have to reflect on one thing, if we are really living a sense to this action:  we either all support this battle or things will not change.  The Mafia is not only in Calabria, but all over the country:  we are particularly grateful to the police for their commitment, but the Mafia will never die if we do not face important social policies, starting with the employment protection.  We have to put the Mafia in offsides and you football players can give us a hand, transmit your message, doing what has to be done so that sports are transparent and clean”.

With four different colors, the Azzurri brought solidarity to the sports world living life to a mini-tournament as if they were normal kids playing on a normal field.  Many of them were embarrassed in front of so much simplicity, above all in front of dramatic stories such as the one told by the parents of the young Domenico Gabriele, Giovanni and Francesca, who was killed by a passing bullet while he was playing football. “We have to awaken the awareness in people if we want to fight criminality”, said Buffon.  But the phrase most said by the Azzurri was: “We felt really small”, faced with a reality that has problems that are just too big.

In any case, it was a celebration in all senses, that saw the participation of all the local authorities:  the extraordinary commissioner of the town of Rizziconi, Rizziconi , il Prefetto di Reggio Calabria Varratta, The Archbishop of  Oppido and Palmi Luciano Bux. The national team received a ball with an important writing on it: “Kick crime.  Crime is a pain in our foot”.