Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, Italy’s ambassador to Spain, issued a formal complaint in writing. The controversy centers on a Spanish basketball club that is reportedly backed by a company associated with a name linked to organized crime. The diplomat expressed concern about what he called a troubling tie between the club and the restaurant chain referenced in his letter to Casademont Zaragoza, criticizing the dining partnership.
The ambassador argued that associating with a mafia label risks normalizing illegal activity. He noted that enjoying a meal together should not be a platform for endorsing or trivializing crimes. His remarks, published Monday by La Repubblica, challenge the impression that criminal networks can be normalized through public affiliation, a stance he asserts runs counter to the core values of the European Union.
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The ambassador highlighted how the image of a mafia figure seated at a table ties into broader cultural narratives about Mediterranean cuisine shared by Spain and Italy. He emphasized that food moments hold potential for social change and personal growth when free of criminal associations. He pointed to extensive efforts and substantial resources devoted to fighting organized crime at both the Italian government level and within the European Union. The concern is that organized crime presents a serious security threat to the legal economy and social coexistence, a point he stressed while noting the presence of Italians living and working in Spain.
In addition, the Italian representative referenced a decision by the European Union General Court regarding the use of certain restaurant names. The court indicated that such names can be harmful to public order and offensive to victims and their families, a reminder that the reach of criminal branding goes beyond individual enterprises. In a related note, the Coldiretti agricultural association reported in 2022 that at least 300 restaurants worldwide used names and symbols associated with Italian mafia organizations, underscoring a broader global challenge for public perception and legal standards.