AC Milan's new goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, has thanked everyone that believed in him after being cleared by a sports tribunal over his alleged association with people that have links to mafia.
The Spain international, along with former Napoli teammates Paolo Cannavaro and Salvatore Aronica, faced the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) disciplinary committee following an investigation carried out by Naples' anti-mafia department.
The FIGC's prosecutor wanted to bring charges against all three players, their three clubs and a number of staff members but the the FIGC's National Federal Tribunal on Tuesday declared in a statement the referral inadmissible.
Reina, who was part of Spain's World Cup squad in Russia, posted a photograph on Twitter with a message written in Italian that said "there, where ignorance speaks, intelligence smiles in silence" and the 35-year-old then wrote: "And now that everything has passed, I want to thank those that were close to me, those that truly know me, had no doubts. "
"THANKS to all my family and friends!!! The fake moralists can shut up as well...Now peace! I have a great challenge ahead of me for the next three years. I will be ready!"
The former Liverpool keeper joined AC Milan on Monday on a free transfer after three straight seasons at Napoli.
A 2010 World Cup winner and 2008 and 2010 European Champion with Spain, Reina has signed a three-year contract with the Rossoneri.