Written by Matteo Ciaramella
Luca Lucci, Raffaello Bucci, Gennaro De Tommaso – these are some of the most popular ultras names in Italian media. They are delinquents with a past in crime, despised by the populus for their influence on the national force that is football. Their presence as ‘capi ultras’ (ultras bosses) has heavily tarnished Italian ultras’ image, to the point where the word is famously associated with violence and chaos.
There was one ultras fan, however, that did not deserve this connotation. In fact, one could argue that he was the polar opposite, the direct contrast to a world of crime. The man in question is Cosenza legend Piero Romeo.
PIERO ROMEO: STORY
The name ‘Piero Romeo’ invokes affection and represents legend in the city of Cosenza, in the Southern Italian region of Calabria. One of the ‘founding fathers’ of the very first ultras supporters group for Cosenza Calcio in 1978 and a leading figure in the first ever Italian ultras rally in 1985, Romeo was an icon in his world, loved by everyone around him. He climbed through the ranks and eventually became the leader of Cosenza supporters, with a title known as ‘capo ultras’. He rejected the label, as he disliked structural hierarchies and preferred to think of his ultras support group as a collective of equals fighting together, and for this reason he was respected, well-liked, and appreciated.
What made Romeo special was his impact outside of stadium walls. With his charity work and active involvement in the Cosenza community, he set the precedent and standard for socially conscious ultras that populate the ends of Serie A today. Amongst other acts of charity, Romeo is famous for having opened the very first soup kitchen in his city and a volunteer trip in 2005 to the Central African Republic and Madagascar – where he and other Cosenza ultras helped build kindergartens, schools, and wells. The unusual warmth that Romeo showed to others established his legacy to transcend football and ultras culture. In an area so run-down and neglected such as Cosenza, a figure like Romeo was essential to restore human qualities to the city, and encourage help for the fellow man.
Sadly, like many great individuals with inspiring stories, Piero Romeo left this world earlier than he should have. Following a long battle with a disease, he passed on February 22nd, 2011, at age 50.
PIERO ROMEO: LEGACY
Despite his premature death, Romeo’s legacy was able to stay alive and find itself a place as the social justice engine of Cosenza. Shortly after the passing, in fact, many of Romeo’s closest friends were gathered by local priest Sergio Canaletta, and decided that the best way to honor their fallen leader was to start a volunteer association in his name – ‘La Terra di Piero’.
In 2016, the association built a playground in Piero’s name, the first and only in Southern Italy equipped to accommodate the needs of disabled children – a symbolic site, representing the equality and fair opportunities that characterized Piero Romeo and his beliefs.
Over the past 11 years, La Terra di Piero has been involved in other noble endeavors. Most recently, they were able to build a kindergarten in one of the most degraded neighborhoods of the Madagascar capital Antananarivo, and pair it with a sewing school for the children’s mothers nearby. There have also been important initiatives in Tanzania: supply of medicine, toys, and food to various orphanages across the country, as well as a hospital in the rural Migoli region. Currently, the association is trying to develop tourism in the area, in order to finance the induction of two schools in two separate towns in Tanzania.
You name it, they have done it, and that is all because of one man who inspired them – the great, late, Piero Romeo.
References
https://www.sportpeople.net/sono-quelle-cose-che-alla-fine-poi-ti-rimangono-intervista-agli-anni-ottanta-cosenza/: The story of Piero Romeo