Catania appeal to the public

Catania are still waiting to hear the repercussions of last week’s riots and have written an open letter to the city so they may come together to lock out the hooligans.

All football activity in Italy was suspended for a week when Catania Ultras caused the death of police officer Filippo Raciti outside the Stadio Massimino during the derby against Palermo.

Play resumes this afternoon in Serie A, although there is another very high risk local clash against Messina on the fixture list.

"Catania’s healthy sporting culture, which represents the vast majority of our fans, must stand by our side during these difficult times we are forced to face together," read a statement from the club.

"It must begin from an incessant and active transmission of positive values that, only when all done together, we can take to its goal."

There was also a word of condolence to the widow of Chief Inspector Raciti and his family, whose funeral was held in Catania on Monday.

As the Massimino had already received a two-match ban due to earlier crowd trouble this season, the sanctions on the club could be extremely heavy.

"We just ask one thing to everyone who identifies with this club – we want to bring football to Catania, rejoicing and suffering along with the healthy side of our citizens. We will never give in. Do not leave us alone!"

Yet the Sicilian derby is already wrapped in tension ahead of kick-off this afternoon, as Messina’s Stadio San Filippo has not been given the go-ahead to welcome fans despite being considered acceptable under the Legge Pisanu directives.

With this in mind, several Messina season ticket holders have threatened legal action for being locked out of the match.

Source: C4 Football Italia