Antonio Tiberi of Italy and Team Trek - Segafredo competes during the 77th Tour of Spain 2022, Stage 8. (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
"Regarding Antonio Tiberi’s recent sentencing in San Marino, Trek-Segafredo fully agrees with the fine and strongly condemns the reprehensible act, which is a clear violation of the team’s code of conduct," the team’s statement read.
ITALIAN SOCCER CLUB RECEIVES SEVERED PIG HEAD, THREATENING NOTE IN THE MAIL
"The team was previously unaware of the transgression and has immediately suspended Antonio for a minimum of 20 days without pay… If necessary, the team will take further action in the future. In addition to the fine already issued by the courts, the Team will donate Antonio’s suspended pay to an appropriate animal care, protection and rescue organization."
Antonio Tiberi of Italy and Team Trek – Segafredo after crosses the finish line during the 5th UAE Tour 2023. (Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Tiberi released a lengthy statement on Instagram apologizing for the incident.
"I deeply regret my shameful actions. Shooting the cat was something tremendously stupid and irresponsible, the seriousness and danger of which I realized only after. I don't want to make any kind of excuse to comment, to add any ‘if’ or ‘but.’ I accept with sense of responsibility and repentance the consequences and the blame for my action. If I have not spoken publicly about it before it was only because of a strong sense of shame and regret."
His statement continued: "I understand the criticism from fans, the media and people in general. I can do nothing but apologize to them, just as I did to my team, who are a blameless victim of the affair. My conduct was not at all befitting a professional athlete and, more generally, a responsible and sensible person. I apologize again and publicly to the minister of San Marino, Pedini Amati, for the emotional damage I caused him, as well as to all the citizens of San Marino. Finally, to everyone, I reiterate that it was not my intention to kill the cat; it was an accident."
Antonio Tiberi of Italy and Team Trek - Segafredo sprints during the 23rd Santos Tour Down Under 2023. (Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Tiberi said in addition to the fine and suspension, he plans to donate a portion of his earnings from this current season to "some associations in the San Marino territory that take care of stray cats."
Amati told local media that while he appreciates the apology, the fine is not suitable for the actions committed.
"The cat didn’t bother anyone," he said, via Reuters. "It had been with us for a long time. My 3-year-old daughter Lucia loved it. You cannot kill a pet and get away with a … fine. I appreciated that the boy admitted the fact. Having said that, we don’t need to give these people residence."