The Martini Racecourse of Corridonia is under scrutiny by the Ministry of Agriculture, which has warned the managers against using the institutional logo. The controversy arose because of Fabrizio Corona, a guest at the Gran Premio Città di Corridonia. The photojournalist still took the stage, and in front of 4,000 people, he did not hesitate to mention Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Minister Lollobrigida, even announcing the founding of a political party.
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For several weeks, the presence of the photojournalist at the Premio Città di Corridonia, an equestrian competition held Thursday evening at Martini, had already been announced. But before the race, the Masaf, which authorizes the races, issued a warning against the use of the logo for the evening, “which has nothing to do with the activities promoted by the ministry. Any further improper use of the Masaf logo and Great Italian Horse Racing will immediately lead to actions in the appropriate judicial venues.”
“Not a single euro from Masaf for Corona’s appearance”
“Not a single euro from Masaf for Corona’s appearance – clarified Patrizio La Pietra, undersecretary with delegation to horse racing –. The subsidies we give to racecourses relate to the management of race days and the infrastructural and service improvements for users and sector operators. Precisely to avoid wasting public money on initiatives not aimed at enhancing horse racing, with Minister Lollobrigida we introduced the mandatory reporting rule. These kinds of initiatives are legitimate for those who manage activities with their own money, but they are not funded with public funds. Nor, in any way, can they be associated with the ministry’s image, whose task is to grow and renew horse racing with commitment, seriousness, and determination.”
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The controversy did not stop Corona
However, the controversy did not stop Corona. Taking the stage to award the winner of the Gran Premio, jockey Mario Sanna on the horse “Sea And See,” trained by Leonardo Forlini and owned by Domenico Cesarini, the figure even announced the founding of a political party. “Television is dead – he began –. Free information without party or power constraints is done on YouTube. Are you happy that I am here – he asked the audience –? Because in September I have a trial with Giorgia Meloni.” This concerns the pending case at the Milan court: Corona is accused of defamation against the prime minister. “Do you know that Minister Lollobrigida’s ministry is a sponsor of this evening – he continued –? Do you know that when they found out I was here, they didn’t want me to go on stage? Be careful because next year I’m making a party, forget Vannacci.” He then announced a new episode of his format Falsissimo on August 31: “We will tell the truth about Belen Rodriguez and the Rodriguez family, a sensational entanglement involving 12 showbiz personalities. I wrote my project three days ago: I start with this episode, launch a new format, create my own platform, make the party, get 8%, and become the strongest content publisher in Europe.” He then concluded by thanking “the beautiful city and the wonderful audience.”
“No public funds from Masaf were used for the promotion of the evening”
The organizers were keen to clarify that they complied with all the ministry’s instructions. “On July 23 – recalls Cosimo Caroli, administrator of Caroli Global Service, the Taranto company managing the racecourse – Masaf asked us for some changes to the poster. The changes were made. On August 11, after verifying the final version, the General Directorate for Horse Racing communicated via certified email to authorize “the use of the poster.” On August 13, just hours before the event, we received a subsequent warning. We immediately complied with the request to remove the logo to ensure the smooth running of the evening. It is equally important to clarify a second point: no public funds from Masaf were used for hospitality or the promotion of the evening. Promotional activities were supported exclusively with resources from Caroli Global Service.”
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