In Naples, as anywhere, football holds the heart and stirs the soul, but it also offers much-needed optimism to people creating their own narratives and new chapters while living in the shadow of Napoli’s Scudetto-winning legends.
In 2009, African Napoli United was founded as the second team in the city.
Since then, they have seen past players succeed and play in Serie A and European competition, counted a Maradona in their ranks, and successfully petitioned Fifa.
The club has made its way up the Italian football pyramid, from the fourth tier to the fifth.
But, their primary goal is only a joyful by-product of their success in sports.
Fighting racism and discrimination is more crucial since these issues make it easier for immigrants, asylum seekers, and young people at danger of exclusion to find housing, employment, and a stable existence.
Being street players who grew up playing the game, Luigi Di Nunzio, one of the club’s directors, tells BBC Sport, “Football for us is not only a sport; it is a way of life.”
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It serves as our teacher and teaches us how to connect with others, coexist in a community, and respect one another.
Di Nunzio and his friends frequently ran out of players, as is commonplace throughout the world, so they started inviting passersby outside their office, which was close to Naples’ central station, to join in.
Since many of the original group were involved in social integration and human rights, Di Nunzio and his pals wanted to assist their new team members as they settled in the city. They quickly learned that the majority had come to the United States from Africa in quest of employment and opportunity.
Di Nunzio says, “That was amazing because we instantly realized it was a two-way interaction that was very effective for both of us.”
“Anybody with prejudices or biases toward immigrants actually started to comprehend them and connect with them, and suddenly started losing all that prejudice.
“From the standpoint of the migrants, it was the best strategy for assimilating into society.
“We consider paperwork, shelter, having food, and employment.
Yet, they typically form a tight-knit society, and their integration stops there. As a result, we never observe them becoming truly part of the community or forming relationships with the locals.
“Football allowed them to accomplish this, and we gained a lot of friends,”
This informal kickaround quickly developed into an 11-a-side club where the project could be carried out.
The club discovered, however, that rules set forth by the international governing body Fifa regarding the registration of non-European Union players—intended to stop the illegal trafficking of players—prevented them from initially entering a team made up primarily of immigrants into the league system.
Similar challenges were faced with Italian regulatory organizations, but following a national effort including clubs and groups working in the sectors of migration and integration, the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) changed its rules to let migrants and refugees to represent the team.
As players from South America and other European nations joined, they changed their name to Napoli United.
Di Nunzio explains, “When you join the United family, you join a network. “This means we will assist you with the paperwork, we will use our connections to help you get employment, establish a name for yourself in the industry, and other such things.
“This is the project’s goal. We use football as a tool; it is not the end goal. We firmly think that in order to disseminate our ideals, we must begin at the grassroots level with children because our strength lies in our community.
As players from South America and other European nations joined, they changed their name to Napoli United.
Di Nunzio explains, “When you join the United family, you join a network. “This means we will assist you with the paperwork, we will use our connections to help you get employment, establish a name for yourself in the industry, and other such things.
“This is the project’s goal. We use football as a tool; it is not the end goal. We firmly think that in order to disseminate our ideals, we must begin at the grassroots level with children because our strength lies in our community.
Sarjo Conteh told BBC OS that “a lot of people lost their lives to come here” after being smuggled into Italy through six different nations.
“I can therefore claim to be one of the fortunate individuals.
“Some people drown, sometimes.
Some individuals pass away, even in the desert.
The excursion is rather typical, says Di Nunzio.
“You have to find your way out, whether it’s money or anything you can contribute, working, after crossing the desert and being detained in Libya.
It is not a pleasant or simple journey.
Most of the folks I contact have physical indications and scars of their suffering on their bodies.
It is not at all simple.
They will thus catch it if you give them a chance.
Since joining the league, Napoli United became the first team to achieve four consecutive promotions.
Some of their players have advanced even more quickly.
Maissa Ndiaye, a 21-year-old defender who immigrated to Italy from Senegal and played for Napoli United before being discovered and signed by Roma, is one of those pursuing professional careers. Ndiaye has since joined Cremonese, a team that was relegated from Serie A at the conclusion of the previous season.
Dodo, a forward who relocated from Cape Verde to Europe, currently plays for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates after playing in the European Conference League with Hamrun Spartans of Malta.
Diego Jr. felt a similar connection to Napoli United’s goal.
He is a decent man who embodies our ideals, so it was only logical to have him join the team, according to Di Nunzio.
However, Diego Jr and Napoli United departed on less positive terms
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