Antonio Tajani, a Juventus fan, mentions the Frosinone fans

Antonio Tajani, a longtime Juventus fan, also called on Frosinone supporters to proudly defend their Ciociaria roots. The Deputy Prime Minister spoke out on social media following the controversy sparked by remarks from Pontedera City Councilman Floriano Della Bella, who found himself at the center of criticism for using the term “ciociara” to describe Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“I’m proud to have Ciociaria blood,” Tajani wrote on social media. “We are the children of an ancient civilization, born before Rome. The cyclopean walls of Ferentino, Anagni, Alatri, and Veroli tell a millennia-old story, rich in figures from culture, art, and civic life. Right up to the War of Liberation: one need only recall Don Giuseppe Morosini, the chaplain who was shot at Forte Bravetta.”

“For this reason,” he added, “I find it deeply offensive that figures on the left, such as Massimo D’Alema, presume to use the word ‘Ciociaro’ as an insult (the reference is to a similar remark made by D’Alema during a political spat dating back to 2007, ed.). It is an insult that reveals only the prejudice of the person uttering it. We, on the other hand, are proud of our roots. And with the same passion as the Frosinone fans—a team competing in Serie A—we say it with our heads held high: we are ciociari. And we’re proud of it.”

A lifelong soccer fan, Tajani has never actually hidden his support for Juventus. On several occasions, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has spoken about his connection to the black-and-white colors, even going so far as to compare his staunch pro-European faith to the passion he holds for the Old Lady. On this occasion, however, the soccer reference was entirely about Frosinone and the strong sense of identity that the Giallazzurri club continues to represent for the Ciociaria region.

Following protests and requests for clarification—including some from the Democratic Party in Frosinone—the Tuscan Democratic Party representatives issued an apology, claiming that the councilor had made a slip of the tongue, saying the word “ciociara” instead of “caciarona.”