Massimino locked down till June?

Catania’s Stadio Angelo Massimino may not be open to supporters until the end of the season.

The Sicilian town was the site of the rioting that killed Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti on February 2, prompting the suspension of all football activity in the country and the introduction of strict new safety measures.

The club had already played two games behind closed doors this season due to crowd trouble – all three incidents occurring during Sicilian derbies against Messina and Palermo – so the punishment is expected to be severe.

It’s rumoured the Disciplinary Commission will order Catania play their next eight home games behind closed doors.

That may well be fortuitous timing anyway, as the Stadio Massimino is currently under lock and key while local council and police check the arena in detail to see what needs to be done under the new laws.

Reports suggest the situation will drag on for at least a month and it’s possible the team will have to play on neutral turf as well as in front of empty stands. Rieti and Cesena have been named as potential venues.

"I expect common sense and balance from the Disciplinary Commission," said director Pietro Lo Monaco.

"The incidents occurred outside the stadium, so the club could not be held responsible. Of course there will be a ban, but I hope by the end of the season the real fans will be able to see their team again, at least for the final couple of games."

A group of Catania Ultras ambushed the police escorting Palermo fans to the Massimino during the Sicilian derby on February 2.

One of the most complex issues around the Legge Pisanu and its implementation has regarded who is responsible for the costs of bringing stadiums up to standard.

In Italy the arenas are owned by the local councils and rented to the clubs.

This evening an agreement was reached between the Ascoli politicians and football side to work on the Stadio Del Duca.

There will be three turnstiles and 32 CCTV cameras installed ahead of the game against Parma on February 28.

Ascoli will pay most of the cash upfront – thought to be around £1.4m – in return for a lowering of the rent to the council.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Livorno suffer UEFA closure

Livorno will play their UEFA Cup tie with Espanyol behind closed doors, a special commission said on Tuesday.

The Tuscan minnows qualified for the last 32 after coming third in Group A, but Wednesday’s 20.45 game at the Armando Picchi will be shut to fans.

The venue doesn’t comply with new safety regulations in Italy and a commission failed to grant it the necessary certificate this afternoon.

Livorno had asked to reduce the venue’s capacity to under 7,500 – thus making it exempt from the Legge Pisanu rules – but that request was rejected too.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Olimpico gets Lyon go-ahead

The Italian Government has confirmed that Roma will be allowed to play their Lyon Champions League game in the evening.

All night games in Italy have been cancelled in February following the Catania riots, but the February 21 tie will kick-off at 20.45 local time as previously planned.

"It would have been very unpleasant had we given Europe the idea that the stadium isn’t safe or even worse, that the city isn’t prepared for this kind of event," said Rome police prefect Achille Serra.

The Stadio Olimpico is one of the few stadiums which were given the green light to reopen to fans in Serie A this weekend as it meets with the Legge Pisanu regulations.

Roma sporting director Daniele Pradè was also delighted that his outfit had been given clearance to play under the floodlights.

"We had no doubts really as we know that the Olympic Stadium is okay," noted the official this afternoon.

The Giallorossi employee also took the opportunity to criticise a section of the Curva Sud who failed to respect the minute of silence prior to Sunday’s 3-0 win over Parma.

"I want to thank the healthy part of our supporters, those who applauded even louder during the minute of silence to honour inspector Filippo Raciti, as opposed to those who booed him," he added.

Source: C4 Football Italia