Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, now at Atlético de Madrid, had images released from a hidden camera that recorded the Italian language exam he took on September 17 last year, at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, to obtain Italian citizenship.
The case has since been investigated for alleged fraud and possible irregularities.
The recording is almost 20 minutes long and proves that the Uruguayan had little knowledge of the language, which raises suspicions due to the intermediate level certification.
At the time, he had just left Barcelona and was negotiating with Juventus, who preferred that he not enter the specific quota for foreign athletes.
Suárez had difficulties, for example, with conjugating verbs and formulating sentences.
“Il bambino porta cocumella”
The player called watermelon “cocumella” (in Italian, they say “cocomero”) and generated a lot of laughter from the examiners, who subsequently corrected Suárez.
Responsible for administering the test, Professor Lorenzo Rocca already has an agreement with the Italian justice system to admit fraud.
The responsible judge also said that Suárez confirmed having had prior access to the content.
According to the judge, the player claimed to have received a file with the text of the exam from professor Stefania Spina. The educator was suspended for eight months and had her appeal against the punishment revoked.
The case also removed the rector of the Perugia institution, Giuliana Grego Bolli, who resigned last December.
The request for Italian citizenship came while the player was negotiating with Juventus.
The Turin club's intention was for Suárez not to occupy a foreign place in the team, which already had the arrival of Brazilian Arthur and American McKennie, two non-EU nationals.
The Uruguayan is married to an Italian citizen and could obtain the country's nationality if he could prove at least intermediate knowledge of the language.
The fact that he took the test quickly raised suspicions. The prosecutor's office has since opened an investigation to find irregularities, and may still criminally accuse Suárez,
which would result in a fine, but without a sporting punishment. Shortly after the confusion came to light, he arranged to move to Atlético de Madrid.
FOLLOW-US
