Italian soccer giant AS Roma has announced that it will dedicate a bullying awareness program reminiscent of Willy Monteiro Duarte, a young black man who was beaten to death in the city south of Rome.
According to local reports, the 21-year-old died in an outdoor bar fight on September 6 after trying to save his friend from beatings.
Duarte was born in Rome and the son of African immigrants from Cape Verde, he grew up in the city of Paliano, 60 km south of Rome.
The victim worked as a kitchen assistant and played football with his home team, his dream was to play for AS Roma in Serie A, the main Italian football league.
The Giallorossi, for whom Willy dreamed of betting one day, expressed their condolences to the circle of relatives with a tweet.
“Willy Monteiro Duarte dreamed of one day putting on the Giallorossi T-shirt of his beloved AS Roma. This dream ended last night, in the most tragic and brutal circumstances. Our mind is now with Willy’s circle of family and friends. Rest in peace, Romanist. “
The club paid tribute to Duarte ahead of the kick-off of their friendly against Frosinone on 10 September.
The captains of both groups waved T-shirts with “Willy 10”, which had been signed through players from both clubs and handed over to Willy’s sister, Milena, who in the stadium as a guest of Rome.
A on as Roma’s online page through the club’s CEO, Guido Fienga, said:
“What happened to Willy Monteiro Duarte on Sunday was certainly horrible, but by dedicating this Roma Cares program to him, we can keep Willy’s reminiscence alive and have a positive effect on the behaviour of the young people with which we are engaged. “
The program “A Scuola Di Tifo” (Italian for “The School of Supporters”) aims to “make young academics perceive respect, solidarity and equality and a desire to combat hatred wherever we see it”.
The homicide shocked the country. Hundreds of other people attended the funeral, in addition to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese.
A delegation from AS Roma attended the funeral, led by club legend Bruno Conti and young players from the club’s academy.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder, prosecutors have not yet said if he had racial motivations, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports.
AS Roma opens the 2020/2021 Serie A season with a home match against Verona this weekend
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