Heavily disqualified against the Settebello

Six-month disqualification

The World Aquatics Integrity Unit has imposed six months of disqualification on the Settebello team, with a $50,000 fine to be paid by Jan. 15, 2025 (and another $50,000 conditional on future offenses committed by Oct. 17, 2026) for the protest that occurred at the Paris Olympics following the serious technical error by referees and VAR that jeopardized the national water polo team’s path to elimination in the quarterfinals against Hungary. The disqualification begins Oct. 17.

As è known the appeals made by the Federnuoto in the 36 hours following the match, although rejected, had led to the admission by the World Aquatics bodies in charge of the lack of violence and intentionality; in the action of Francesco Condemi, which was therefore regular. In fact, the player was not è disqualified for the subsequent games, namely the semifinals and finals for fifth/seventh place. Therefore, the 3-3 scored by the Settebello striker against Hungary was valid; the striker should not have been sent off, Italy should not have played 4 minutes less, the Magyars should not have benefited from the 4-2 penalty shot.

“Ciò premised, and having acquired the records, the Federnuoto will not appeal. At the same time, it reiterates the need for the jury to have at its disposal technical tools of a high professional level, in order to avoid the possibility of repeating errors that are as blatant as they are detrimental to the image of water polo. The Water Polo Federation, aware of the potential of the national team and sharing its ambitions, takes this opportunity to thank managers, technicians, athletes and staff for the path of the three-year period 2021-2024 during which two world silver medals (with finals lost on penalties in Budapest 2022 and Doha 2024), one European bronze medal (Zagreb 2024) and the World League” was won for the first time, reads the note issued Thursday.