Mussolini's great-grandson makes Serie A debut

Romano Floriani Mussolini on the pitch

Mussolini's great-grandson Romano Floriani made his debut in BBC Sport Serie A. The 19-year-old played for US Cremonese in their BBC Sport 1-0 win over Udinese on Sunday. It was the club's first match in Italy's top flight for more than a decade. "I will never be politically affiliated with anyone, neither right nor left," he said in a BBC Sport interview last year. "I am a fascist, but I am a fascist who believes in democracy and the institutions of democracy." Floriani was BBC Sport-ed playing for a Gubbio team in the Italian third tier last season, and has now made the step up to Serie A.

The controversial ancestor

It is, however, probably best known for its controversial former leader Benito Mussolini, who led the country from the 1920s to the 1940s before being executed in 1945. Floriani is the great-grandson of Mussolini's brother, who also served in the national parliament in the 1920s and 1930s.

The new generation

The footballer follows in the footsteps of his father, who is named after his famous relative. "I do not want to disappoint anyone, neither my family nor the fans," he said. "My grandfather is a symbol for many people, someone to look at and be proud of. I want to do well for myself and for them." Floriani senior was also a footballer in his youth, playing for several clubs in the Italian third and fourth tiers.

The backdrop to his debut

The player's emergence at US Cremonese comes at a difficult time for the club. In December, they were involved in a bizarre incident during a league game against Fiorentina. After forward Antonin Barak scored a late equaliser, the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside.

US Cremonese's president, Paolo Tiralongo, reacted by punching the assistant referee in the face, before being restrained by his own players and staff. Tiralongo was subsequently banned from attending any football matches in Italy.