Ultras prepare picnics

While some stadiums will host games behind closed doors this weekend, supporters are planning anything from protests to picnics outside the gates.

The clampdown on security in the wake of the Catania rioting has seen several venues fail new laws, although San Siro has been able to negotiate an agreement to let in Milan season ticket holders only for the match against Livorno after installing 28 turnstiles.

The Serie B Week 23 games was played today with only five of the 11 stadiums allowing in the fans, but it proved to be far from a silent weekend.

A group of Napoli Ultras protested outside the Stadio San Paolo as their team beat Piacenza 1-0 to go top of the table.

A small number of the tifosi were accompanied into the stands by police to lay out a banner for the players that read: ‘The law divides us, our grit unites us. Keep going to the bitter end lads – Curva A.’

Around 200 Juventus fans travelled to Vicenza, despite the Turin club refusing to take its allocated 1,000 away tickets. They hung up banners, chanted their support and played football among themselves while the Bianconeri drew 2-2 in the Stadio Menti.

There were similar scenes in Brescia – where fans sang, drank beer and ate pizza – and Pescara, while a group of 50 Udinese fans have announced plans to travel to Florence for tomorrow’s game and eat a picnic outside the Stadio Franchi with 1,000 Fiorentina supporters.

The Presidents made a gesture of their own in Serie B. Modena patron Alfredo Amadei sat in the stands of the Curva Montagnani, where the hardline Ultras usually reside, while his team lost 3-0 to Albinoleffe. Triestina President Stefano Fantinel did the same at the Stadio Nereo Rocco.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Spalletti: Let's see real fans

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti believes the best way to answer the hooligans is to show how wonderful the fans can be.

"Undoubtedly some of our enthusiasm has been sapped by the tragedy and we all feel like shouldering some of the guilt for what happened, but I see it as an opportunity and a duty to improve our profession," said the tactician.

All football activity in Italy was suspended after 38-year-old Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti was killed as Catania Ultras rioted outside the Stadio Massimino on February 2.

Sweeping new laws were introduced to ensure the Legge Pisanu recommendations were finally implemented, but Spalletti does not agree that stadiums not up to standard must be shut down.

"We have to open our doors to the people, not close them. Everyone must know they are welcome to come in and behave well. We’re starting from the team, as I told my players to be less ‘sneaky’ and banal in their reactions to incidents."

The Giallorossi will have their crowd at the Stadio Olimpico when Parma arrive on Sunday afternoon, although the planned Scudetto showdown with Inter has been postponed until April.

Source: C4 Football Italia

San Siro open to season tickets holders

Only Milan season ticket holders will be allowed in to San Siro for the game against Livorno after emergency changes.

The official AC Milan website confirmed the news this evening following an inspection by the authorities earlier today.

Work carried on through the night to install 28 new turnstiles at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, bringing the arena closer to the Legge Pisanu recommendations, at least enough to allow in the 37,297 Rossoneri season ticket holders.

"The rest of the work will be completed within the next two weeks, so the San Siro will be up to standard very soon," added security chief Giovanni Terzi.

While all fans are not yet allowed into the venue, Milan will have their supporters in the stands for Sunday’s clash with Livorno.

"I consider it a violation of the season ticket holder’s rights to deny them access to matches they have paid for," insisted club President Silvio Berlusconi.

As former Prime Minister, he wasted no time in attacking the current Government’s sweeping clampdown on football-related violence in the wake of Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti’s death.

"The tragic incidents in Catania happened outside the stadium, so locking out season ticket holders is not addressing the problem. As Prime Minister, I would never have passed such a law."

The club website has urged Milan supporters to arrive at the stadium early and will only be allowed in from a limited number of gates.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Prandelli's plan to revive calcio

Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli believes the Stadio Artemio Franchi should have been opened to children only for tomorrow’s game with Udinese.

The venue is one of many closed down this weekend for failing to reach the new strict security measures set out after the rioting in Catania.

"We return to the playing field after a very difficult week and it will be important to find the right psychological approach to the match," he commented following the death of Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti in Sicily.

"The new laws are drastic, but necessary and it will be good for everyone to adapt as soon as possible. We hope that all sections of the sport can understand their mistakes and correct them.

"It will be tough to play without a crowd tomorrow, but I would have liked to have seen the stands filled with children. That would have been a positive sign of what football can be."

The Viola supporters are obviously unhappy at being locked out of their own stadium indefinitely and some Ultra' groups plan to camp outside the Franchi.

"I expect to see a mature attitude from the fans. Without their encouragement, the team loses around 30 per cent of its effectiveness on home turf, but if their chants outside the stadium float in, then I want there to be a fair and orderly show of support."

Source: C4 Football Italia

Youngster denies Raciti murder

The 17-year-old Catania fan accused of murdering Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti admits throwing a metal bar, but insists he will soon be released.

While at first it was thought that the police officer was killed by a home-made bomb that exploded next to his car, an autopsy confirmed the cause of death was massive liver damage from being struck by a blunt object – that now appears to have been identified as a metal bar.

Among the 38 arrests that followed the night of rioting outside the Stadio Angelo Massimino on February 2, a 17-year-old local boy, who was not named because he is a minor, is under investigation for murder.

"I didn’t do anything wrong and had nothing to do with the death of that poor policeman," insisted the boy identified only as A.S. in newspaper ‘La Stampa.'

"When they told me what I was accused of, I went into a panic and couldn’t remember any of the details of what happened at the Stadium. There was some fighting and I was there, but I never dreamed of hitting a policeman. At one point I saw a piece of metal on the ground and threw it in the air, but that’s it.

"When I heard Raciti had died, I felt sorry, even if I didn’t know him. The police all look the same when in uniform. One thing is sure – when all this is over, I’ll never set foot in a stadium again. I’ve learned my lesson."

The teenager was caught on camera picking up the metal bar and throwing it, but the actual moment of impact on Raciti’s torso was shielded.

"When I think about what happened, I have to believe it was an accident, as nobody can really want to kill a person in such a horrible way," continued 'AS'.

"I miss my home and family, but the lawyer said I can relax. He assures me I can leave soon, because my conscience is clear."

The police and magistrates are not so sure, with reports of "clear and significant admission of guilt" from the suspect and "he admits to throwing the metal object, as shown also in the footage."

It is now said that there were traces of white paint on Raciti’s uniform – the same colour as the metal bar the teenager threw into the air.

Nonetheless, his father insists the police must shoulder the blame for the rioting outside the stadium.

"I am sorry for the Raciti family, but I have to say my son is being used as a scapegoat. I too have seen the video footage and there’s nothing to convict him," said the parent.

"The crowd trouble started when the police launched tear gas. I feel I should defend the lads who are in the stadium in that situation, as the authorities cannot think they can just fire these chemicals against people."

"He is destroyed. This is not an accusation he was expecting," the lawyer, Giuseppe Lipera, said in a interview with the Associated Press news agency.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Samp proud of Marassi status

Sampdoria director Beppe Marotta has expressed his pride that their stadium has passed new rigorous safety inspections.

"I am proud to say that Marassi is up to standard," said the transfer guru after the Stadio Luigi Ferraris was allowed to welcome fans for Sunday’s match with Ascoli.

"We made all the changes necessary to improve the structure. The Blucerchiati supporters have always shown a great sense of responsibility and affection towards the team, cheering them on even in moments of sporting dismay, such as our results against Udinese and Inter."

At first Marassi was not considered to be ready for the new Legge Pisanu measures, but a late surge in work on a CCTV network and changes to their procedure ensured it qualified.

"With the advent of the new directives, and thanks to the collaboration between the police authorities and our stewards, the pre-filtering process for the fans will be even more rigorous before they enter the stadium."

To date only six arenas in Serie A have passed the inspections in Siena, Turin, Genoa, Palermo, Rome and Cagliari. All the others must host games behind closed doors until they have completed restructuring work, although Milan’s San Siro hopes to pass tests today for at least the introduction of season ticket holders after setting up 28 turnstiles.

Source: Sporting Life

Italy 'boosts' Euro 2012 bid

The Italian Football Federation has strengthened its candidature for Euro 2012 with the new clampdown on security, insists Commissioner Luca Pancalli.

"I have reassured UEFA on the rapidity and efficacy of our anti-violence measures taken on by the Government, with which we collaborated all the way," noted Pancalli after a meeting with European football’s hierarchy.

"All of Italian football is putting the effort in to transform such a sad and dramatic moment into the opportunity to rediscover our composure, unity of intent and the desire to re-open the stadiums without those delinquents who want to ruin the image of our sport."

Pancalli ordered the immediate suspension of all football activity in Italy after Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti was killed by rioting Catania fans last Friday outside the Stadio Massimino.

Along with the Government, the FIGC agreed sweeping new laws to implement the Legge Pisanu recommendations, so only six stadia in the country are currently able to welcome fans in for this weekend’s Serie A games.

It was believed the violent incidents and revelation that the stadiums are not up to standard would damage Italy’s candidacy for the Euro 2012 Championship, but Pancalli insists that is not the case.

"Michel Platini and the UEFA Executive Committee deepened the debate with a series of questions on the various aspects of the Italian problem. They seemed satisfied and reassured by our actions and I am convinced this meeting has helped to reinforce our candidacy for Euro 2012."

The decision on who will host the games will be made in April, but Italy are short-listed along with dual candidates Croatia-Hungary and Poland-Ukraine.

Source: C4 Football Italia