Jacobean Cildania (5321 - 5369)

[Wu Han]

Controversial Deputy Ilarju Rizzo enters board of directors of San Basjan F.C.


Players of the San Basjan F.C. team during the recent relegation match against rivals Lega tal-Atletika which bumped them down to First Division.

August 2, 5331 | The football club San Basjan F.C. is the primary club in the San Basjan region, which apart from its historic football club is known mostly for the early medieval monastery dedicated to San Basjan. A rural region with an unlikely football club that on and off plays in the top leagues of Cildania. A success made possible by oil baron Danjel Sisner seventy years ago, who was able to invest heftily into his "childhood club", giving it longevity and punching power far above what its region should be able to offer. While the club has been in a downward spiral the last four seasons, narrowly missing relegation last season, it has become a staple of Cildanian football. The Blacks and Reds are known throughout the nation as an apolitical 'old boys' football club priding itself on its legacy, as such the marriage between Ilarju Rizzo and San Basjan F.C. seems unlikely at first glance.

The leader of the Order of Saint Sebastian, Ilarju Rizzo, started his career as a man from humble beginnings. Born out of wedlock to the uncle of a Cildanian prince and part-time nurse the 42 year old Rizzo did not grow up in any means of wealth and without a father. In his late teenage years he became involved in far-right movements, often inhibiting his professional career. At age 21 he was fired from the popular electronics store Belt Elettrika after his manager discovered his involvement and criminal record. As such Deputy Rizzo never made any money and when he entered parliament several years ago he was one of the few party leaders that was not able to call himself a millionaire or billionaire. Now it seems that the financial means have turned around for Deputy Rizzo who is often seen in his signature suits of the expensive Istalian Balbo brand with a time piece from the exclusive Wrnukaek watchmaker Paksrmo. The Rizzo family recently moved into a large estate in the suburbs of Qart Qildar, further cementing the fact that on his average Deputy salary mr. Rizzo is financially well off and far above the means of the average Cildanian.

This fact is now further cemented as Ilarju Rizzo has entered the board of directors of the relegated football club San Basjan F.C., who recently moved from the Premier League to the First Division after narrowly losing the relegation match against Lega tal-Atletika. The club is owned by the investment group Red & Black, a group of semi-wealthy investors that come and go. While not publicly announced it has been discovered by journalists of the HtS that Ilarju Rizzo bought himself into this investors group, which is the main reason as to how he was able to enter the board of directors. Allegations have been brought forward in the last ten years that organized crime has been investing into the club, but none of these charges were ever proven.

Meanwhile the Order of Saint Sebastian have used Rizzo's entry into 'their club', as they call it, as a media moment. The party has greatly expanded upon its Hosian name and tries to reinforce it whenever possible. At the announcement Deputy Rizzo devoutly stated that he hoped "Saint Sebastian above will bless us the last few votes we need", adding onto rumours that Rizzo is still attempting to form a far-right government with himself as prime minister.

The Ħarald tas-Sur is one of the oldest Cildanian newspapers, which nowadays lays its focus on investigative journalism. It usually remains politically neutral but has a history of writing for the upper middle class.

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Originally posted by Kubrick on 13 Jul 2023.