The unusual reason why Napoli removed the statue of Maradona from its stadium and returned it to the author

The statue of Maradona, in the eye of the storm (REUTERS / Ciro De Luca)

In November 2021, on the esplanade of the Napoli stadium that today bears the name of Diego Maradona, a statue was inaugurated in honor of the star that became a great attraction for fans and tourists. In it, Pelusa, who died in November 2020, is seen carrying the ball with his right boot, on a huge pedestal. Well, said work was surprisingly removed and returned to the artist who created it, Domenico Sepe, a proud supporter of the Southern Italian cast.

Napoli beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Germany and took an important step in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16

Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored for the Italian team. Kevin Trapp saved a penalty from the Georgian Kvaratskhelia and Kolo Muani was sent off in the German team

The determination caused shock and curiosity among fans. As published by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the decision, which was taken by the City Council, is linked to a bureaucratic issue: it cannot accept a donation from Sepe because the value of the work exceeds the artist’s economic possibilities.

Another reason has to do with the “principle of partiality”, that is to say, that the honor of honoring Maradona with a work in such a privileged place as the one that obtained this statue (which was in the east wing of the stadium, on the Via Giambattista Marino) could represent the dream of other sculptors.

Sepe and his statue (REUTERS/Ciro De Luca)

Two particularities called attention to other recognitions that Maradona received after his death: the statue of Sepe had the legend “D10s” printed on the base of the pedestal. And, as already stated, in the same the Argentine star world champion in Mexico 86 carried the ball with the right boot, his less skillful profile. Beyond this setback, in Italy they assure that the artist will take the removal of his work to Justice, so that it can be restored to the place where fans even left floral offerings or gifts in memory of the Albiceleste legend.

The huge pedestal on which it was mounted, with the legend “D10s” (REUTERS / Ciro De Luca)

The particular vaudeville takes place at a dream moment for Napoli, which Maradona would surely have wanted to witness. The team led by Luciano Spalletti is the undisputed leader of Serie A, with a 15-point advantage over Inter, his guard. In addition, they are in the round of 16 of the Champions League, an instance in which they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the first leg. The rematch is scheduled for March 15. Will the good star of the team change without the statue as custodian of the high level that it has been exhibiting, with the Georgian Jvicha Kvarastskhelia and the Nigerian Victor Osimhen as figures?

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