Peace plea after Napoli fan’s death

 ROME-The Napoli fan, Ciro Esposito, who was shot and fatally wounded before the Italian Cup Final, died early Wednesday -his family asked fans not to take ‘revenge’ for his death.

 Although many fear that Esposito’s death could provoke retaliation among football fans, the victim's family calls for peace; “On behalf on the whole family I say to everyone: enough violence. No one else should pay and suffer for a beautiful game such as football, which Ciro loved so much”, said mother Antonella Leardi.

 Esposito allegedly identified 48-year-old AS Roma fan Daniele De Santis-who is currently under police guard at Viterbo hospital-as his killer. According to ANSA sources, Esposito pointed out the face of De Santis in a newspaper photograph to his family whilst on his death bed-“He shot me”-exclaimed Ciro.

 Police are said to interview the family members to whom Esposito revealed the killer.

 Napoli fans have shown their support to Ciro Esposito; “Daniele De Santis was not alone. We want his accomplices identified and delivered to justice”.

 President Giorgio Napolitano expressed his condolences whilst the Minister of Interior Angelino Alfano assured that “the violent will be expelled from the stadium.”

 MP with the centrist Civic Choice (SC) party and six time Olympic fencing gold medallist Valentina Vezzali expressed her opinion on the violence that has hit the football industry; “One can’t die for a football game. It is the umpteenth tragedy to hit sports”. In Italian football incidents involving fan violence are far too common-in 2007 a Lazio supporter was shot dead before the match against Juventus.  

 The Esposito family expressed their gratitude yesterday; “We want to thank everyone who in these 50 days have demonstrated their solidarity. At 6.00 this morning, our Ciro passed away, a civilian hero. That cursed May 3, our Ciro intervened in Via Tor di Quinto in Rome to save passengers on a bus. Our Ciro heard the screams of fear of children who together with their families wanted to watch the game. He died to save others.”

 Tomorrow the autopsy will take place and Ciro’s parents will be able to take Ciro’s body home.

 Ciro’s uncle Enzo explains that the funeral home has already been set up to welcome Ciro from Naples. It is said that anti-mafia priest Luigi Merola came to Rome to bless the boy who was shot dead over a game of football.