"Stoichev in question for Verona!" - under such a headline, the information appears on the authoritative volleyball.it, which refers to today's article by "Resto del Carlino Macerata," authored by Andrea Scopa. A publication titled "Commotion at the Lube match: 'Hands on a fan's neck' - Storm around coach Stoichev" appeared there, describing events that occurred in Civitanova after the match ten days ago between Lube and Rana Verona, which have repercussions not only at a national level.
Today's article sheds light on facts that went unnoticed after the match at the "Eurosuole Forum," as well as the press release from the Verona club - with an inexplicable delay (a full 5 days after the incident). It talks about distancing from the behavior of their coach, who apologized for his conduct.
Here is the announcement: "After the end of the match against Cucine Lube Civitanova, coach Radostin Stoichev demonstrated, albeit after numerous prior provocations, absolutely unacceptable behavior, from which the Verona Volley club completely dissociates itself. Furthermore, the Verona Volley club extends its apologies primarily to the opposing fans involved, to AS Volley Lube, to the fans of both teams, between whom there is an excellent relationship, to the club's friends/supporters, and to its partners."
According to the account in the newspaper from the Marche region, Stoichev was at the center of a commotion after the match, with the Bulgarian coach, immediately after the end of the encounter (footage from the court shows the incident occurring while the teams are under the net for the official post-match greeting, with several players paying attention to what is happening off the court). According to the report, "before returning to the locker room, Stoichev lunged at a white-and-red supporter located in the stands behind the benches. The Bulgarian coach, one of the most important and successful in international volleyball, placed his hands on the fan's neck (there are dozens of witnesses confirming the incident), before the intervention of security ended the dispute." This refers to a fan from the VIP area of Civitanova's sports hall. An incident that, according to the report, also affected Verona's main sponsor. "It seems that the sponsor Rana is particularly angry due to the tarnished image," the newspaper writes. According to other information, the team's benefactors no longer want to see Stoichev leading the team.
Stoichev explains to Lube's general director Giuseppe Cormio what happened (still frame from the match)
Stoichev himself publicly admitted his serious mistake: "I deeply regret what happened. I was wrong to react to repeated provocations during the match, putting the club I work for, the owners, our fans, and our partners in an awkward position. It is right for a professional to always be expected to behave responsibly. I can do nothing but admit my mistake and apologize to the Lube fans, first and foremost, to the AS Volley Lube club, to our fans, and to our partners."
What will come of the scandal for the new member of the FIVB Coaches' Commission remains to be seen, with clarity expected at the end of the week when Verona visits Modena. The tremor could also affect Rana Verona's upcoming participation in the Coppa Italia finals in Bologna.
