Italian football suspended following violence in Sicily (4)

Italian authorities will decide on Wednesday whether to play the country's football matches behind closed doors.

The Italian interior minister, Giuliano Amato, said on Monday that stadia which do not meet security standards will not be allowed to admit fans.

The move follows the cancellation of weekend football after a policemen was killed during clashes between fans.

"We will not allow fans to go into a stadium that does not respect the current safety norms," said Amato.
"In stadia like that of Catania [where police officer Filippo Raciti was killed by rioting fans] I will not admit anyone, I am firm on this. That game shouldn't have been played.

"Hence, only those stadia that meet the security norms will reopen to the fans, the other stadia will be used to play in but without fans until they meet guidelines.

"Our current norms are efficient if followed."

According to reports in Italy, only four of the country's stadia meet the criteria required to open them to fans.

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) met the government on Monday to decide when Italian football could resume.

The funeral of Raciti, 38, who died when a bomb was thrown into his car, took place in Catania.

CONI met on Sunday to discuss ways to solve the crisis and urged clubs to break off relations with violent fans.

Other proposals included forcing clubs to adopt stricter anti-hooligan measures by the start of next season.

CONI president Gianni Petrucci said that if clubs did not agree to the new guidelines - which would see more controls imposed on tickets and an increase in use of closed circuit cameras - they would not be able to host games.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Italy's minister of sport Giovanna Melandri were also at Monday's meeting.

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has already promised "robust" measures to curb the violence.

Prodi called for "a remedy that makes clubs feel responsible (for fans) and radically changes the situation".

The new Uefa chairman, Michel Platini, backed the decision to halt football in Italy.

He said the violence had deepened concern about hooliganism in football.

Platini compared it to recent incidents involving French and Dutch fans, and said everyone involved in football must work together to eradicate violence from the game.

"We must now work together with the Italian football authorities and politicians in support of the Italian game, and find a solution to this spiral of violence that is plaguing European football," he said.

Raciti's death has prompted outrage from Italian politicians and the suspension of all amateur and professional games - including Wednesday's friendly against Romania - by the FIGC.

The head of the Italian Footballers' Association, Sergio Campana, called for the leagues to be halted for at least a year.

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Restart date still unknown

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) commissioner Luca Pancalli will decide on Wednesday whether Serie A will resume this weekend.

Pancalli suspended all football in the country after rioting Catania fans caused the death of a 38-year-old police officer.

The FIGC chief did this evening admit that the various championships could kick-off again this Sunday, but any decision will only be made after a special government cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"Technically speaking, I think we have the time to immediately resume football," he stated this evening after discussing possible new regulations designed to improve safety at stadiums.

"I’m optimistic that these new proposals will be accepted. I think everyone has a part to play in situations like these.

"Everybody needs to take responsibility."

Pancalli took the decision to bring a halt to games in the peninsula on Friday night and he’s certain he made the right choice.

"I said on Friday that I wouldn’t okay a restart without the activation and presence of serious and drastic measures which would allow games to be played in calm and safe surroundings," he added.

"I repeat that today, especially after seeing the funeral of the policeman Filippo Raciti and hearing the words of his wife.

"We need to transform this grave crisis into a resource for the difficult road which we are facing," he underlined.

"That is why I am satisfied with the decisions taken and that we have seen a strong reaction to what has happened.

"This comforts me that we can really write a new page in history and say ‘stop’ once and for all.

"I’m confident that everyone involved in football will have the maturity to accept the new regulations and will collaborate to redraw the future of Italian football."

Source: C4 Football Italia

CONI Chief: Safety first

Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) chief Gianni Petrucci has backed the proposed legislation changes designed to make calcio safer.

Petrucci was part of Monday’s crisis talks at Palazzo Chigi where Interior Minister Giuliano Amato and Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri discussed new measures that would, in theory, revolutionise the Italian game.

"We too have a list of priorities which rates public safety at the very top," stated Petrucci this evening. "The sporting spectacle is secondary.

"We are not at the centre of the earth, safety comes first and we will be by the side of the Interior Ministry and Sports Ministry because we want the stadiums to re-open, but only under certain conditions."

Amato and Melandri this evening underlined a host of new plans which will hopefully help to eradicate the mindless violence which has affected peninsula football in recent times.

The situation reached extreme measures on Friday night after a policeman was killed by rioting Catania fans.

As a result, Italian football at all levels has been postponed until further notice and it seems that grounds will only be open to fans if they meet with the necessary safety measures.

Petrucci also opened the door for English style stewards to become part of the Italian game in the future.

"The Italian Olympic Committee is prepared to finance and run specialised courses for their formation," he added.

Source: C4 Football Italia

New security measures for Italian stadiums

Clubs whose stadiums do not meet the required safety standards will be forced to play games behind closed doors, it has been confirmed.

Italy’s Interior Minister Giuliano Amato underlined that point this evening after crunch talks between the Government and football officials at Palazzo Chigi in Rome on Monday.

"We’ll only re-open stadiums which respond to the necessary safety guarantees," he stated. "Those that don’t will remain closed."

At present, only five Serie A stadiums meet current safety regulations. However, as many as 10 would be given the green light to stage games if no away fans were permitted entry.

All Italian football was suspended until further notice on Friday following the death of 38-year old police officer Filippo Raciti at the rioting in the Sicilian derby.

As a result, Amato and a number of key officials met in the capital this evening to introduce new legislation in a bid to eradicate violence from the Italian game.

A number of other measures, which will be discussed in more detail at a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday, were also pondered today.

Amato added that rules would be put into place to stop the block sale of tickets to away fans for games.

Police may also be given the powers to carry out an arrest relating to footballing misdemeanours, without a warrant, 48 hours after the event.

Football stadium banning orders for individuals found guilty of violence at games would also be handed to Under-18s.

Minister for Sports Giovanna Melandri, who was also present at the meeting, has revealed that laws may be put in place to rule out any relationship between football clubs and Ultra' fan groups.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) extraordinary commissioner Luca Pancalli has yet to reveal when the season will resume, but did suggest that the Championship could restart as early as Sunday.

"I’ll make a decision on Wednesday after the meeting, but there are the technical conditions in place to play at the end of this week," he stated.

"I'm optimistic that everyone involved in football will have the maturity to accept the new regulations and will collaborate to redraw the future of Italian football.

"I believe that today we can open a new chapter."

Source: C4 Football Italia

Italy buries riot victim

Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of police officer Filippo Raciti, who was killed in the riots during the Catania-Palermo match last Friday.

The Inspector was attacked outside the Stadio Massimino and died from massive liver damage, after he was hit with a blunt instrument.

Raciti’s coffin was draped in the Italian flag and was driven to Catania cathedral, after hundreds of people had paid their respects to the policeman by visiting his coffin at the city’s police station.

The entire country mourned and the Fiumicino airport in Rome decided to suspend all check-ins for a minute of silence, while the funeral service was broadcast live on RAI Television.

Pope Benedict XVI condemned the clashes between fans and police stating that they were a "stain on the world of football" and Prime Minister Romano Prodi wrote to Raciti’s widow, saying that it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty."

Interior Minister Giuliano Amato declared in an interview to La Repubblica that Italian fans were risking the possibility of never seeing football again, with stadiums "empty and barred."

All footballing activities were immediately suspended after the death and the FIGC, CONI and government representatives will meeting to discuss the next moves.

The stadiums which do not comply with the existing security might not be allowed to host any more matches and reports suggest that games could take place behind closed doors until the end of the season.

Raciti was the 13th person to be killed in accidents associated to football violence since 1962, as the last fatality dates back to 1995, when Genoa fan Vincenzo Spagnolo was stabbed to death before a home game against Milan.

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Source: C4 Football Italia

Maldini: Football needs fans

Milan captain Paolo Maldini believes that the violence in Italian football is a problem that goes beyond sport and does not like the idea of playing behind closed doors.

The FIGC and CONI will meet with government representatives on Monday when they will decide when and how the matches will resume after Friday’s tragic accidents in Catania, with reports suggesting that games could be played with no spectators in the stadiums which do not fit the bill.

"I believe playing without the fans would be an absurd solution, I would rather prefer to stop for another week," said Maldini.

"Playing behind closed doors would be the death of the game, although it is clear that those who committed the acts in Catania must be punished," continued the Rossonero.

"The suspension of all activities including the Nazionale friendlies was a strong signal, from now on there will be a zero tolerance policy."

The Milan symbol believes that these latest acts represent a social problem, which is not necessarily limited to sports.

"This goes beyond football. What happened occurred outside the stadium and it was a premeditated attack against the police.

"A mixture of the English and American models could represent a good approach. The English have strict laws and the American model brings more families to the concerts and games.

"Often the tensions are not just tied to the game, but to a general social unease. In Italy there is a different culture surrounding sports, a loss is never accepted, while in England they applaud even when a team is relegated.

"Yesterday was a sad day and it is our duty transmit the value of sportsmanship. Our attitude on the field counts and when it’s positive that is all the better," concluded Maldini.

Source: C4 Football Italia

CONI blasts Matarrese

CONI have hit out at Antonio Matarrese after the Lega Calcio chief declared that football must go on no matter what.

Matarrese made some astonishing comments in an interview to newspaper La Repubblica, stating that matches should be resumed with immediate effect, after the suspension implemented in reaction to the death of policeman Filippo Raciti on Friday.

The former FIGC President also declared that deaths in the football system were “part of the enormous movement that police were unable to control” and that football could not afford to shut down, as the lucrative and delicate toy might break.

"The CONI, following the statement made by the President of the National Professional League Antonio Matarrese and reported by a newspaper, wish to express their bewilderment and indignation for his words, which are considered highly offensive," read an official note on the Olympic Committee’s website.

"CONI cannot agree with these statements and wish to renew their condolences to the Raciti Family on behalf of the entire Italian sporting movement."

Matarrese might now be indicted for violating Articles five and seven of the Sporting Code of Behaviour, which forbids all members of sporting associations from doing or stating anything that could in some way incite to violence.

Sampdoria general administrator Beppe Marotta also agreed that football should re-start as soon as possible, as halting the game would have a deep impact on the clubs from a financial point of view.

"I know that when someone dies all the rest is not important, but a one week stop causes a £4.2m loss from missing box office revenue plus TV sporting rights.

"We are aware that the football situation in our country is deteriorating but we have no means to combat this violence," Marotta added.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Cosmi demands change

Former Udinese coach Serse Cosmi hopes that the championship will only start again after something is done to really change the system.

The tactician isn’t sure that the suspension of all footballing activities decided by the FIGC and CONI after the death of a policeman on Friday is enough.

"We mustn’t make the same mistakes we made after the Calciopoli scandal last summer," said Cosmi in a radio interview.

"What happened was very serious, but it seems it might not be enough to stop the system," added the ex-Perugia tactician.

"I think that the championship should start again only when we understand what needs to be done next, otherwise this will all be useless."

Football is one of the most important industries in Italy and many think that the activities should resume as soon as possible, but Cosmi believes that the situation is serious and that the next decisions cannot be driven by money.

"Everything is done in the name of business, but that cannot work, normal people have been driven away from the stadiums.

"The important thing is not when the matches will resume, now is the time to discuss together and find a solution.

"I am not sure that the clubs can manage the stadiums directly, they have already proved that it’s difficult. In any case, the Italian sides must honour the European competitions, we are all guilty but we have to look ahead."

The FIGC and CONI will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss when the matches should resume and Interior Minister Giuliano Amato will address Parliament on Tuesday.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Catania ready for funeral

The funeral of the Italian police officer killed during the violent riot between football fans in Sicily on Friday is due to take place in the city of Catania today.

All matches were immediately suspended after the death of Filippo Raciti, who died after being hit by a blunt object.

In Rome, the sports minister is meeting with senior football federation and Olympic committee officials.

Italy's Interior Minister warned of an "extraordinary response" to the unprecedented levels of violence. "The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred," Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper.

Mr Amato will be at the funeral, which will be conducted by the archbishop.

Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the 38-year-old policeman, visiting his coffin at the police station in the Sicilian city of Catania.

Although initially believed to have died when a home-made bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed he died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.

In a letter written to policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty."

His funeral, due to take place at 1100GMT, will be carried live on Italian television.

On Sunday, the president of the Olympic Committee (CONI) said that football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.

Sports authorities are mulling options including banning matches from stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria.

Those that fail to meet the standards will be forced to close to the public and matches will be played behind closed doors.

Pope condemns violence as "stain" on football

Pope Benedict today condemned violence that "stains the world of football", after an Italian police officer was killed by rioting fans in the Sicilian derby on Friday, and urged sporting authorities to restore order.

The Pope, in a message of condolence sent by the Vatican secretary of state to the widow of Filippo Raciti, expressed his "firm condemnation for any act of violence that stains the world of soccer".

Source: Reuters

UEFA: No sanctions for Italy

UEFA's Interim CEO, Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Italy will not be handed any sanctions following Friday’s violence in Catania.

The Italian Football Federation decided to suspend all activity after the death of police officer Filippo Raciti following the Serie A match between Catania and Palermo, but will not be punished for those events.

"There will be no sanction from UEFA, Catania-Palermo was an Italian League match and therefore not under our jurisdiction," explained Infantino.

"However, as European football’s governing body, we must follow the situation closely," continued the 36-year-old Italian, who was appointed after the resignation of Lars-Christer Olsson last week.

Reports have suggested that the incidents might jeopardise Italy’s chances of staging the Euro 2012 tournament, but the lawyer preferred not to make any comments on this issue.

"I don’t want to talk about this. We must evaluate everything very carefully. The international Press is talking about these facts and this has definitely hurt Italy.

"We are following the situation and we have been in contact with the FIGC Commissioner Luca Pancalli and his deputy Massimo Coccia since Friday," concluded Infantino.

New UEFA President Michel Platini also assured that he will give his full backing to the FIGC to solve the problems of fan violence, which he feels is plaguing European football.

Pancalli has indefinitely suspended all international and domestic matches until further notice and will meet with the Italian Olympic Committee and the Government representatives on Monday to discuss when and how the championship will resume.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Matarrese slams suspension

Lega Calcio chief Antonio Matarrese believes that footballing activities should immediately resume. "The show must go on," he said.

All Italian competitions were suspended after policeman Filippo Raciti was killed during the riots outside the Serie A match between Catania and Palermo.

The 38-year-old inspector will be buried on Monday and the FIGC and CONI will meet with government representatives in the afternoon to discuss when and how the championship might resume.

"We are pained, but the show must go on. Football must never shut down," said Matarrese in an interview with newspaper La Repubblica.

"Deaths in the football system unfortunately are part of this enormous movement that the police have not yet been able to control," added the former FIGC President.

"I cannot agree with those who ask for the matches to stop for several weeks, I think it is irresponsible."

Many have suggested that the English model is the one to follow, as hooliganism was dealt with and finally defeated by forcing clubs to ban violent supporters and modernising the stadiums.

"That is an entirely different world. If you are arrested in England they put you in jail and you serve your sentence. Here this never happens, the day after the events you are free to leave.

"Inside English stadiums there are stewards, the policemen are outside. We have the Pisanu law, but it is expensive to implement the regulations.

"We must start planning new stadiums, the Italian ones are old. I also believe that the facilities should be managed by the clubs, who can then be considered responsible for what happens inside.

"We had to stop, but now everyone has something to say and it seems they all know what the solution to the problem is. The footballing system is very delicate, it can only stop for a short period, otherwise it can break down.

"This is one of the most important industries in Italy and it cannot stop. I have the impression that those who want to close the stadiums and stop for one year are irresponsible and a bit fanatical," concluded Matarrese.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Lotito wants stadio ownership

Lazio chief Claudio Lotito believes that football clubs should own their stadiums in order to implement the existing anti-violence laws.

All football activity in Italy was suspended on Friday after Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti was killed during the riots following the Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo.

Former Home Office Minister Giuseppe Pisanu had introduced new rules last year which were meant to increase safety inside the stadiums, including CCTV footage, turnstiles and security checks.

But to date only the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo and the Stadio Olimpico in Turin comply with Legge Pisanu rules.

"The Pisanu law is a good one, but we need appropriate structures for it to be respected," said Lotito to television programme Controcampo.

"The stadium is not only made of the pitch and the stands, but it also includes security rings and much more," continued the Biancoceleste, who believes that these structures would allow clubs to filter access to the stadium.

"However, I believe stadiums should be owned by us, just as in England. That is the only way for the clubs to become responsible for security.

"Stadiums must not be considered no-man’s-land, there are laws which already exist to punish hooliganism and they must be implemented," concluded Lotito.

The Italian Olympic Committee and the FIGC will meet on Monday to discuss how long the suspension will last and it is reported that stadiums which fail to fit the bill could be banned from staging matches next season.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Romania turn down compensation offer

Romania have turned down Italy's offer of compensation after Wednesday's friendly with the World Champions was cancelled following the death of a police officer who was killed in the Sicilian derby riot on Friday.

"Sergio di Cesare [FIGC Official] told us that compensation will be paid for the inconvenience, but the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) refused the money," FRF director Ionut Lupescu said on Monday.

Lupsecu said the offer was turned down out of sympathy and that Romania hoped the friendly set for Siena could be re-arranged for later this year or in early 2008.

Romania will now meet Moldova in a hastily-arranged friendly in Bucharest on Wednesday.

Source: Reuters