Sicily national football team

Sicily
Nickname(s)	Naziunali Siciliana
Association	Sicilia Football Association
Head coach	Giovanni Marchese
Captain	Davis Curiale
Top scorer	Davis Curiale (2)
First international
	Sicily 4–1 Sardinia ; (Mazara del Vallo, Italy; 10 June 2022)
Biggest win
	Sicily 4–1 Sardinia ; (Mazara del Vallo, Italy; 10 June 2022)

The Sicily national football team (Sicilian: Naziunali Siciliana di Palluni) is the representative football team of the island of Sicily. It is controlled by the Sicilia Football Association and is also colloquially referred to with the name Naziunali Siciliana. The Sicilia F.A. was founded in 2020.

It is not affiliated with either FIFA or UEFA and is therefore not allowed to participate in either the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship. However, since June 2021 the Sicilia F.A. has been associated with the CONIFA,from which in October 2023, just two years later, he announced his exit with regret and disappointment, after having denounced in an unequivocal press release his lack of seriousness and not having taken part in any official competition, and that he wanted to travel paths for international recognition, and the desire to compete in serious and challenging competitions.

History edit

In the past, the idea of creating a Sicilian national team has been already proposed by some journalists and Sicilianist circles.^[2]^[3]^[4]

The current project started in 2019 following the first contacts with CONIFA.^[5] The project was born thanks to the synergy of a Founding Committee from the three metropolitan cities of Sicily: Palermo, Catania and Messina. The official foundation of the Sicilia F.A. dates back to 15 May 2020, while the public activities were launched in 2021.

At the foundation Salvatore Mangano from Messina was chosen as President, Angelo Priolo and Fabio Petrucci from Palermo as Vice-president and General Secretary, while Alberto L'Episcopo from Catania – a former Manager of the Serie A team Chievo Verona – is the General Manager.^[5] Mario Bonsignore – former President of A.C. Ancona, Manager of F.C. Messina and Marketing Manager of the Malta Football Association – is the General Consultant of the Sicilia F.A. Pietro Cannistrà and Benedetto Bottari – protagonists of the S.S. Milazzo’s promotion to the Lega Pro – are respectively Head of the Sporting Area and Team Manager.

One of the main goals of the Sicilia F.A. is the promotion of the Sicilian national identity through football. Indeed, the initiative of the Sicilian national football team is based on the idea that Sicily represents a stateless nation with its own geographical peculiarities, history, language and culture.^[6] The Sicilia F.A. has already signed partnerships with the "Accademia della Lingua Siciliana" ("Academy of the Sicilian Language") and the Cultural Association "Lu Statutu" in order to realize its goal.

Very soon, the birth of the Sicilia F.A. inspired the fantasies of the media about the international players that theoretically could wear the jersey of the team, from Mario Balotelli to Vincenzo Grifo.^[6]^[7]

The first two football associations that acknowledged the Sicilia F.A. were the national football teams of Sardinia and Corsica.

The Global Executive Committee of the CONIFA accepted Sicily as a member association on 27 June 2021.^[8]

The Sicilia F.A., with a futsal selection, is one of the six participants to the 2021 CONIFA No Limits Mediterranean Futsal Cup.^[9] 18 October, 2023, Sicily announced it had withdrawn from CONIFA after not featuring in any CONIFA tournament.^[10]

Colours and logo edit

Flag of the Sicilian Vespers

The official colours of the Sicilian national football team are red and yellow, like the flag of Sicily.

The logo of the Sicilia F.A. is based on the flag of the Sicilian Vespers and contains the motto “Animus Tuus Dominus”, used by the Sicilian rebels during the anti-Angevin revolution.

Kits edit

The Sicilia F.A. announced three football jerseys, all dedicated to the history of Sicily.^[7]

1st: "Vèspiru": red and yellow with the emblem of the Sicilian Triskelion, in honour of the Sicilian Vespers (1282);
2nd: "Fidiricu": white with 4 red and yellow stripes and a Swabian eagle, in honour of the royal flag established by King Frederick III of Sicily in 1296;
3rd: "Ruggeru": blue with a red and white checkered stripe, in honour of the foundation of the Kingdom of Sicily by Roger II in 1130.

EYE Sport is the official kit supplier of the Sicily national football team.^[11]

Fixtures and results edit

This is a list of results for the matches played since 2022, including friendly matches against full FIFA international teams and others against fellow representative teams which are not aligned to FIFA and against professional or amateur clubs.

10 June 2022 Antudo Cup	Sicily	4 – 1	Sardinia	Mazara del Vallo, Italy
18:45	Ortisi 31' Savanarola 54' Bulevardi 57' Curiale 83'	Report	89' Bianco	Stadium: Stadio Nino Vaccara Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Alessandro Angelo

10 June 2023 Sikelia Cup	Sicily	1 - 0	Corsica	Caltanissetta, Italy
18:00	Curiale 69'	Report		Stadium: Stadio Marco Tomaselli Referee: Antonio Gabriel Haba

23 May 2024 Corsica Cup	Sicily	1 - 1 (3 - 4 p)	Saint Martin	Corte, France
19:00	Saraniti 92'	Report	13' Segarel	Stadium: Stade Santos Manfredi

25 May 2024 Corsica Cup 3rd place final	Sicily	1 — 0	Sardinia	Afa, France
14:30	Alma 61'	Report		Stadium: Afa Stadium

Managers edit

2022– : Giovanni Marchese

Players edit

Current squad edit

Below is the list of players called by coach Giovanni Marchese for the Corsica Cup (22-25 May 2024). Caps, goals and numbers as per 25 May 2024.^[12]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Gaetano Dolenti	(1991-05-16) 16 May 1991 (age 33)	3	0	Sancataldese
12	1GK	Giuseppe Polizzi	(1991-12-20) 20 December 1991 (age 32)	1	0	San Giorgio Piana

2	2DF	Damiano Lia	(1997-11-25) 25 November 1997 (age 26)	3	0	Messina
3	2DF	Andrea Ferrigno	(1989-10-12) 12 October 1989 (age 34)	1	0	Igea Virtus
4	2DF	Salvatore Tosto	(1997-02-11) 11 February 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Enna
5	2DF	Giuseppe Zappalà	(1990-05-28) 28 May 1990 (age 34)	1	0	Enna
6	2DF	Simone Brugaletta	(1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 30)	4	0	Santa Maria Cilento
17	2DF	Alessio Asero	(2000-11-10) 10 November 2000 (age 23)	2	0	Paternò
18	2DF	Salvatore Mollica	(2000-09-29) 29 September 2000 (age 23)	3	0	Paternò
22	2DF	Giuseppe Filì	(2002-11-04) 4 November 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Vastogirardi
23	2DF	Rosario Licata	(1989-01-16) 16 January 1989 (age 35)	3	0	Mazara 46

8	3MF	Giorgio Tumbarello	(1996-04-20) 20 April 1996 (age 28)	2	0	Lucchese
13	3MF	Riccardo Correnti	(2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Sancataldese
15	3MF	Nino Garofalo	(2001-12-06) 6 December 2001 (age 22)	1	0	Milazzo
19	3MF	Francesco Giunta	(1999-03-19) 19 March 1999 (age 25)	2	0	Messina
20	3MF	Salvatore Cocimano	(1990-09-27) 27 September 1990 (age 33)	2	0	Enna
24	3MF	Enrico Giannone	(2004-06-23) 23 June 2004 (age 19)	0	0	Licata

7	4FW	Antonino Musso	(1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 24)	2	0	Bra
9	4FW	Andrea Saraniti	(1988-07-23) 23 July 1988 (age 35)	2	1	Altamura
11	4FW	Davis Curiale	(1987-12-30) 30 December 1987 (age 36)	4	2	Terracina
14	4FW	Tommaso Bonanno	(1995-08-03) 3 August 1995 (age 28)	2	0	Martina
16	4FW	Vincenzo Vitale	(2000-11-26) 26 November 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Varesina
21	4FW	Giuliano Alma	(1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 30)	2	1	Siracusa

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have also been called up for the team recently and are still available for selection, this section is updated in June 2023.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Federico Valenti	(1993-06-06) 6 June 1993 (age 30)	1	0	Sancataldese	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022

DF	Valerio Genesio	(1987-04-28) 28 April 1987 (age 37)	1	0	Mazarese	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
DF	Salvatore Mollica	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24)	1	0	Acireale	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022

MF	Danilo Bulevardi	(1995-01-31) 31 January 1995 (age 29)	1	1	Gubbio	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
MF	Salvatore Cocimano	(1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 (age 33)	1	0	Giarre	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
MF	Francesco Corso	(1997-11-27) 27 November 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Mazarese	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
MF	Mattia Tumminelli	(1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Acireale	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022

FW	Pasqualino Ortisi	(2002-04-24) 24 April 2002 (age 22)	1	1	Fidelis Andria	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
FW	Giuseppe Savonarola	(1986-03-10) 10 March 1986 (age 38)	1	1	Acireale	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
FW	Alessio Rizzo	(1998-10-03) 3 October 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Paternò	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022
FW	Mattia Retucci	(2000-12-06) 6 December 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Nissa	vs. Sardinia, 10 June 2022

Individual records edit

As per 25 May 2024

Most Caps
Rank	Name	Caps	Goal	Career
1	Simone Brugaletta	4	0	2022–Present
1	Davis Curiale	4	2	2022–Present
2	Rosario Licata	3	0	2022–Present
	Damiano Lia	3	0	2022–Present
	Salvatore Mollica	3	0	2022–Present
	Gaetano Dolenti	3	0	2022–Present
	Vincenzo Vitale	3	0	2022–Present
3	Many players	2

Most Goals
Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Career
1	Davis Curiale	2	4	2022–Present
2	Danilo Bulevardi	1	1	2022–Present
	Pasqualino Ortisi	1	1	2022–Present
	Giuseppe Savonarola	1	1	2022–Present
	Andrea Saraniti	1	2	2024–Present
	Giuliano Alma	1	2	2024–Present

Anthem edit

The Sicilia F.A. ha chosen as official anthem the cabaletta Suoni la tromba from I puritani (1835) by Vincenzo Bellini.^[13]

Media partners edit

A partnership between the Sicilia F.A. and the football TV WeSport.it was announced through the social media on 2 June 2021.

Management and Staff edit

Position	Staff
President	Salvatore Mangano
Honorary President	Pietro Cannistrà
Vice-president	Angelo Priolo
General Manager	Alberto L'Episcopo
General Secretary	Fabio Petrucci
Treasurer	Giuseppe D'Andrea
General Consultant	Mario Bonsignore
Head of the Sporting Area	Antonio Emma
Team Manager	Ivano Vetere
Head of Communication	Antonio Caroè
Publicist	Tiziana Albanese
Head of International Relations	Mario Trabucco della Torretta
Ambassadors	Giovanni Privitera (France) Mario Trabucco della Torretta (Great Britain)

Competitive record edit

Champions Runners-up Third place Hosts

CONIFA No Limits Mediterranean Futsal Cup edit

Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
CONIFA No Limits Mediterranean Futsal Cup
2021	4th	3	1	1	1	6	6
Total	0 Titles	3	1	1	1	6	6

CONIFA European Football Cup edit

Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
ConIFA European Football Cup
2022	Cancelled
2023	Cancelled
Total		0	0	0	0	0	0

Antudo Cup edit

Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
Antudo Cup
2022	1st	1	1	0	0	4	1
Total	1 Titles	1	1	0	0	4	1

Sikelia Cup edit

Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
Sikelia Cup
2023	1st	1	1	0	0	1	0
Total	1 Titles	1	1	0	0	1	0

Corsica Cup edit

Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
Corsica Cup
2024	3rd	1	1	0	0	1	0
Total	0 Titles	2	1	0	0	2	1

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Honours edit

Antudo Cup
- Winners (1): 2022
Sikelia Cup
- Winners (1): 2023
Corsica Cup
- Third place (1): 2024

Competition			Total
Antudo Cup	1	0	1
Sikelia Cup	1	0	1
Corsica Cup	0	1	1
Total	2	1	3

References edit

^ Local selection of foreign amateur players in Sicily
^ "Nazionale di calcio siciliana" (in Italian). L'Altra Sicilia. 12 August 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ "Una nazionale di calcio siciliana. Che ne pensate?" (in Italian). BlogSicilia. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ "Una nazionale di calcio della Sicilia? C'è la proposta degli indipendentisti" (in Italian). goal.com. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Nazionale siciliana di calcio, l'idea parte da Messina. Ecco i primi nomi" (in Italian). Gazzetta del Sud. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Nasce la Nazionale di calcio della Sicilia: i giocatori che potrebbero farne parte" (in Italian). calciopolis.it. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Nazionale di calcio della Sicilia, l'idea tenta il decollo: contest per il logo ufficiale" (in Italian). Palermo Today. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ "CONIFA welcomes the Sicilia Football Association". CONIFA official website. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
^ "CONIFA makes history with No Limits Mediterranean Futsal Cup". CONIFA official website. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
^ "LA NAZIONALE SICILIANA DICE ADDIO A CONIFA: SCIOLTA L'ADESIONE ALL'ORGANIZZAZIONE". 18 October 2023.
^ "EYE Sport partner tecnico della Nazionale Siciliana" (in Italian). EYE Sport official website. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ "Elenco dei convocati [...] della Nazionale Siciliana". 18 May 2024.
^ "Nazionale Siciliana: "Suoni la tromba" di Bellini é l'inno ufficiale" (in Italian). WeSport official website. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.

External links edit

(in Italian) Sicilia FA official website
(in Italian) Sicilia FA Instagram Page
(in Italian) Sicilia FA Twitter Page
(in Italian) Sicilia FA Youtube Page

[1] Local selection of foreign amateur players in Sicily

[2] "Nazionale di calcio siciliana" (in Italian). L'Altra Sicilia. 12 August 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[3] "Una nazionale di calcio siciliana. Che ne pensate?" (in Italian). BlogSicilia. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[4] "Una nazionale di calcio della Sicilia? C'è la proposta degli indipendentisti" (in Italian). goal.com. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[gazzettasud-5] "Nazionale siciliana di calcio, l'idea parte da Messina. Ecco i primi nomi" (in Italian). Gazzetta del Sud. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[calciopolis-6] "Nasce la Nazionale di calcio della Sicilia: i giocatori che potrebbero farne parte" (in Italian). calciopolis.it. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[patoday-7] "Nazionale di calcio della Sicilia, l'idea tenta il decollo: contest per il logo ufficiale" (in Italian). Palermo Today. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[Conifa-8] "CONIFA welcomes the Sicilia Football Association". CONIFA official website. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

[MedCup-9] "CONIFA makes history with No Limits Mediterranean Futsal Cup". CONIFA official website. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.

[10] "LA NAZIONALE SICILIANA DICE ADDIO A CONIFA: SCIOLTA L'ADESIONE ALL'ORGANIZZAZIONE". 18 October 2023.

[11] "EYE Sport partner tecnico della Nazionale Siciliana" (in Italian). EYE Sport official website. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[12] "Elenco dei convocati [...] della Nazionale Siciliana". 18 May 2024.

[13] "Nazionale Siciliana: "Suoni la tromba" di Bellini é l'inno ufficiale" (in Italian). WeSport official website. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.

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