Former Turin Mayor’s Sentence Reduced by 7 Days Over Champions League Final Stampede

The incident occurred on June 3, 2017, in Turin’s Piazza San Carlo, where thousands of Juventus fans gathered to watch the Champions League final against Real Madrid on large screens. A group of thieves used pepper spray in the crowd, triggering a mass panic that resulted in two deaths and over 1,500 injuries.

This latest ruling slightly modifies the original sentence from January 2021, which had imposed an 18-month prison term. The appeals court reduced the sentence by seven days following adjustments mandated by Italy’s Supreme Court.

Shared Responsibility and Legal Outcomes

The court also upheld the sentence for Paolo Giordana, Appendino’s former chief of staff, while absolving Maurizio Montagnese, the former president of Turin’s Tourism Agency.

In the 2017 tragedy, a gang of four individuals had used pepper spray to carry out thefts, causing a stampede among the gathered fans. The perpetrators were convicted of homicide and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Chiara Appendino, who is now a member of parliament for the Five Star Movement, was accused of failing to implement adequate safety measures for the event. She initially stepped down as mayor in October 2021.

Legal Proceedings and Sentence Recalculation

Italy’s Supreme Court ordered a re-evaluation of Appendino’s case in June 2023 due to procedural changes in the complaint. This led to the slight reduction in her sentence.

The court's decision brings some closure to a case that has left a lasting impact on Turin, highlighting the crucial importance of crowd safety during large public events.

Key Points

• Incident Details: The stampede occurred on June 3, 2017, in Piazza San Carlo during the Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid.
• Casualties: Two women lost their lives, and over 1,500 people were injured.
• Cause: A gang of thieves used pepper spray to rob attendees, causing mass panic.
• Sentencing: Chiara Appendino’s sentence was reduced to one year, five months, and 23 days on appeal.
• Other Outcomes: Paolo Giordana’s sentence was upheld, while Maurizio Montagnese was acquitted.
• Context: Appendino was accused of insufficient safety measures and initially sentenced in 2021.