Messina cancels friendly against Victoria Hotspurs over stadium shortage

Messina cancellation Victoria Hotspurs friendly match stadium shortage Franco Scoglio

A friendly football match between ACR Messina 1900 and Malta's Victoria Hotspurs F.C. was to be played in Messina on 20 August. The clubs announced the game would not take place because the city could not provide a suitable venue.

ACR Messina cited the unavailability of both the Franco Scoglio stadium, whose grass is unusable after recent concerts, and the Giovanni Celeste stadium, which lacks certification and the minimum conditions required for an international friendly. President Justin Davis released a statement apologising to the Maltese club, its staff, the fans and the broadcaster Med.tv, and urged local authorities to address the infrastructural shortfall. City officials Massimo Finocchiaro and Stello Vadalà responded, expressing surprise at the club’s notice and disappointment over the situation.

Entities

ACR Messina 1900 · Franco Scoglio Stadium · Giovanni Celeste Stadium · Justin Davis · Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] A friendly football match between ACR Messina 1900 and Victoria Hotspurs F.C. was scheduled for 20 August in Messina. www.messinasportiva.it · www.sporticily.it · www.tempostretto.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The match was cancelled because no suitable stadium was available in Messina. www.messinasportiva.it · www.sporticily.it · www.tempostretto.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The Giovanni Celeste stadium lacked certification and the minimum conditions required for an international friendly. www.messinasportiva.it · www.sporticily.it · www.tempostretto.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The Franco Scoglio stadium did not have usable grass due to recent concerts. www.messinasportiva.it · www.sporticily.it · www.tempostretto.it
[● 3 SOURCES] City officials Massimo Fincheri and Stello Vadalà responded, expressing surprise at the cancellation. www.messinasportiva.it · www.sporticily.it · www.tempostretto.it
[● 3 SOURCES] ACR Messina president Justin Davis issued a statement apologising to the opponent, fans and the broadcaster Med.tv. www.messinasportiva.it · www.sporticily.it · www.tempostretto.it

Sources

Salta l'amichevole con il Victoria. Davis: "Il Messina non ha ancora uno stadio" [www.messinasportiva.it]

19 days ago

Messina-Victoria Hotspurs, salta l’amichevole: nessuno stadio disponibile in città [www.sporticily.it]

19 days ago

L'amichevole senza stadio diventa un caso, il Messina: "Costretti ad annullare". La replica: "Mai avvertiti" [www.tempostretto.it]

19 days ago