Fencers acquitted in Siena, athlete Herrera: "I will never stop"
A Siena judge has acquitted two Italian fencers of accusations of sexual assault against a young Mexican athlete. She announces an appeal and declares her intention to continue her fight.
Acquittal in Siena: sabre fencer Herrera faces cameras after verdict
The judge at the preliminary hearing Andrea Grandinetti acquitted two Italian fencers of the charge of group sexual assault "because the fact does not exist", at the end of proceedings with an abbreviated trial held before the tribunal in Siena. ANSA Cronaca reports.
The young Mexican athlete Fernanda Herrera, who competes for Uzbekistan, wept in court at the reading of the sentence. Immediately afterwards she presented herself before journalists with her head held high.
"My name is Fernanda Herrera, I am a Mexican sabre fencer, I came to Italy to train for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics", Herrera declared. "I was here with my mother and with the confidence that everything could go well, but unfortunately I found myself with the worst people who could exist in this world."
The facts in question date to the night between 4 and 5 August 2023, during an international fencing gathering at Chianciano Terme, in the province of Siena, which was attended by athletes from various foreign federations. At the time of the events the fencer was still a minor. The two defendants have always denied all accusations.
Herrera explained that she had chosen not to expose herself publicly until now. "I never wanted to show my face in these three years in which I suffered this thing, but I am tired and I will show myself because I am proud of myself", she stated. "For three years, in addition to fighting for my results and my medals, I fought for my justice and I will never stop."
The athlete added that she would leave the following day for an international competition, but warned that "it will be extremely difficult to forget". She also emphasised how there are many similar cases to hers in sport: "There are many cases in sport and in the world in which they want to silence women and this cannot happen anymore."
Herrera's lawyer, Luciano Guidarelli, announced an appeal, arguing that "the trial should have taken a completely different direction especially because during the trial hearing and from the summary information gathered by investigators it emerged that my client was not in a condition to be able to discern and give consent to have relations."
The association Differenza Donna sided with the girl. President Elisa Ercoli stated: "We firmly believe in her version of the facts. A version that pushes us to have even more determination in permanent mobilisation against the Bongiorno bill, a bill that we will never accept because it forces the victim to demonstrate non-availability, instead of recognising the responsibility of whoever rapes."
The reactions were of the opposite sign from the lawyers of the defendants, who in 2025 had been suspended by the Italian Fencing Federation. Lawyer Enrico De Martino stated: "We have always been certain of the absolute innocence of our clients. From a legal point of view this is the exact and correct outcome in light of the evidence and procedural elements." Lawyer Gianpaolo Del Sasso added that the verdict did not surprise them: "That the fact does not exist we have known from the beginning of this matter."
Lawyer Matteo Antonio Starace concluded by announcing the intention to ask the federation for "an urgent measure so that they can resume their activity."
Source: ANSA Cronaca