The match was over, the players were in the locker rooms, and most of the crowd had already left the Flaminio arena. That’s when two fans from Rimini allegedly insulted the Israeli wife of Cody Demps, a player for Rinascita Basket Rimini, mimicking the gesture of a gun with their hands. The account, reported by RiminiToday, is based on testimonies from people who were present.
The woman, who is pregnant, was reportedly left visibly shaken. Other supporters and some of the players’ partners stepped in to defend her. Security staff escorted the two men out, but according to the accounts collected, one of them allegedly continued hurling insults even after being removed.
Police also intervened at the arena, restoring calm and escorting Demps and his wife out of the facility.
On the morning of Monday, October 5, Mayor Jamil Sadegholvaad issued a statement: “I learned from the newspapers about the shameful verbal attack that took place at the Palazzetto dello Sport during the Rbr-Avellino match, targeting the Israeli wife of a Dole player. I want to express my deepest closeness and solidarity to the woman for this unacceptable episode, which has nothing to do with Rimini. Rimini, a Gold Medal for Civil Valor, never justifies any form of violence, abuse, war, or individual oppression, in any context or situation in which it may occur.”
