Sangineto
Italian authorities are investigating the death of Antonio Perrotta outside the Il Castello nightclub in Sangineto, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria. Two brothers living in Luxembourg are suspected of involvement. One of them is known for representing Luxembourg at the international level in rugby.
Both men have been questioned by an investigating judge in Paola. According to local media, one brother provided his account of the events, while the other exercised his right to remain silent.
According to reports in the Italian press, the brothers entered the nightclub with a group through a side entrance, avoiding the standard ticketing process. The defence claims a security guard allowed them inside. After heading to the bar, the group was asked by security staff to leave.
One brother, in his statement to police, said that as security personnel were escorting him out, he was struck on the back of the head. Tensions escalated when Antonio Perrotta arrived on the scene. The brother alleges that his sibling, the rugby player, then punched Perrotta in the face, between the nose and chin, before both brothers left the area. This version of events comes from the defence and has not been established by the courts.
Investigators have obtained surveillance video from the nightclub. The arrest warrant refers to movements consistent with a physical altercation. Security personnel reportedly struggled to remove the brothers, even beyond the club's security perimeter. Prosecutors believe Perrotta was punched forcefully in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.
Perrotta received initial medical attention at the scene before being transported to the hospital in Cetraro. As his condition deteriorated, he was airlifted to the Annunziata hospital in Cosenza, where he died following emergency brain surgery. A post-mortem examination on Thursday revealed significant cranial trauma. Further tests are expected to clarify the extent of his injuries and their direct link to his death. The final forensic report is expected within 60 days.