A member of the Italian national water polo team that captured the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona has been arrested in the southern city of Naples on suspicion of beating his wife, as well as other acts of abusive behaviour.
Francesco Porzio, 44, on Wednesday allegedly kicked his wife in the face as she held their two-year-old child. Following the beating she barricaded herself in a closet and called the police for help.
Porzio's wife told the police that she has been the victim of her husbands violent rages for years. She said he kicks and punches her even in the presence of their children. Italy's men's water polo team is one of the world's most successful with six Olympic medals, and five World championship titles.