More stadiums re-open

The Italian Government has confirmed that 12 more stadiums will re-open to fans this weekend, although most of them will only be able to seat season ticket holders.

A host of arenas up and down the peninsula were shut after stadium regulations were tightened following the Catania riots, but the situation seems to be slowly returning to normality.

Messina and Modena have been given the green light for this weekend, while venues in Bergamo, Empoli, Florence, Lecce, Livorno, Perugia, Pescara, Trieste, Udine and Verona will be able to welcome back season ticket holders.

The decision was taken by the National Observatory on Thursday, based on the information received by the police, the local authorities and the Italian Olympic Committee.

Furthermore, the Italian Football Federation have been asked to consider the idea of closing only specific sectors of stadiums as punishment for fan misdemeanours.

Meanwhile, Catania will lodge an appeal to the CAF (Federal Appeal Commission) against the suspension imposed on the Stadio Massimino until June 30, after the FIGC disciplinary commission rejected a first appeal on Thursday.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Catania stadium ban confirmed

The FIGC's Disciplinary Commission has rejected Catania’s appeal against the suspension imposed on the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

The venue was handed a ban until June 30 after policeman Filippo Raciti was killed during riots following the derby with Palermo earlier this month.

Catania had based their appeal on "the concept of objective responsibility and the fact that the incidents took place outside of the stadium", as explained by general director Pietro Lo Monaco.

The commission, however, confirmed on Thursday that the islanders will be forced to play the rest of their home matches this season at neutral venues and behind closed doors.

The £35,000 fine was reduced though, as Catania committed to pay a sum of money to Raciti’s family.

The Sicilians played Fiorentina in Rimini last Sunday and are scheduled to face Inter this weekend at Cesena.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Catania appeal stadium ban

Catania have lodged an official appeal against the suspension imposed on the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

The Sicilian club have been ordered to play the rest of their home matches this season at neutral venues and behind closed doors, as punishment for the fan violence which resulted in the death of policeman Filippo Raciti earlier this month.

The ban was handed down by the Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary commission last week, along with a £35,000 fine, and will last until June 30.

"Our appeal is based on the concept of objective responsibility and the fact that the incidents took place outside of the stadium," explained general director Pietro Lo Monaco.

The appeal will be discussed at a hearing on Thursday and a verdict is expected to be reached on the same day.

Catania were forced to play Fiorentina in Rimini on Sunday and are pencilled in to face Inter this weekend at Cesena.

Meanwhile, Italian football is slowly returning to normal with Messina, Livorno, Udinese and possibly Fiorentina allowed to welcome fans again this weekend.

The Stadio San Filippo in Messina has passed all the necessary requirements set out by the strict new Government laws on safety in stadia and can host both home and away supporters for the game with Siena.

In truth, this arena had already been up to standard, but was closed anyway for the Sicilian derby with Catania due to fears over public safety.

Livorno were forced to play both their UEFA Cup tie with Espanyol and the Serie A victory over Messina behind closed doors last week, but can at least let in their season ticket holders for the next home game against Ascoli at the Stadio Armando Picchi.

Udinese are confident that the Stadio Friuli will be passed fit for the season ticket holders when they welcome Parma this Sunday.

"The appointments with the institutions gave all the results we had hoped for," explained Vice-President Stefano Campoccia. "The meeting between the police and the local authorities saw them approve of the project we presented." A final check will be made on the stadium on Saturday morning.

Fiorentina are hopeful they can at least have their season ticket holders in the stands for the local derby against Empoli, although there is still renovation work to be done.

At this stage, only three games are certain to be played behind closed doors this weekend in Serie A – Chievo-Torino at the Stadio Bentegodi, Atalanta-Palermo in the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia and Cesena hosting Catania-Inter due to a ban on the Sicilian outfit.

In Serie B, Brescia have installed new turnstiles at the Stadio Rigamonti and over the next two days will put in a CCTV network. They hope this will be acceptable to open the doors for Saturday’s match with Verona.

Source: C4 Football Italia

San Siro open for Euro ties

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza will be allowed to open to Inter and Milan fans for the Champions League ties, UEFA have confirmed.

The stadium had not received the green light from the Italian Government to reopen to fans, but work carried out last week brought the arena closer to the Legge Pisanu standards, allowing at least Milan season ticket holders to access the arena on Sunday.

The first knockout round match between Inter and Valencia on February 20 will therefore kick off at San Siro at 2045 hours local time as per schedule.

UEFA confirmed on their website that the permitted capacity will be 36,000, including the five per cent reserved for visiting supporters, that is 1,800 tickets to be sold via the visiting team.

The Italian Football Federation informed the governing body of European football that the Stadio Meazza already conforms with some of the measures provided for by Italian law but that some work must still be completed before full capacity will be allowed at the venue.

As to the Milan-Celtic tie scheduled on March 7, this clash will also be hosted at San Siro, again in front of a limited number of spectators, with the exact capacity still to be determined.

It seems certain however that the capacity will include 4,500 seats reserved for Celtic fans.

UEFA Statement >>>

Source: C4 Football Italia

Melandri: No step backwards

Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri has insisted that there will be no special passes for stadiums which do not comply with the new strict safety measures.

The arenas were closed after the tragic death of a policeman in Catania earlier this month and only very few venues were allowed to reopen to spectators last week, when the Championships resumed.

The Government in fact released a list of ‘safe stadiums’, declaring that all the other facilities will not host any spectators until the work needed for them to meet the security measures is completed.

"No stadium which fails to comply with the Pisanu Law regulations will open to supporters," declared Melandri to in an interview to La Repubblica TV.

"There will be no step backwards, the Government is determined in its decision. Safety has to be the priority and only safe arenas will be allowed to open again," added the Minister.

The Pisanu Law was voted in 2005, but many stadiums had been granted special permissions to open by the local authorities.

"This will not happen again, we want to avoid repeating the same mistakes. The new safety measures have immediate effect and are strategic. The clubs are working hard to renovate the stadiums, along with the town councils when they are available.

"No decree can eliminate violent behaviours, which have several different causes that we need to understand. That is why the world of football needed to give an important and clear signal," concluded Melandri.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Catania to sue FIGC

The Catania council has announced it will sue the Federation for the lengthy ban on fans.

The Stadio Angelo Massimino was shut down and the club ordered to play its home games behind closed doors until June 30 after a police officer was killed in rioting on February 2.

However, the Sicilian town is not taking the punishment lying down and has threatened legal action.

"This sentence condemns Catania Calcio, but also damages the image of the province of Catania. It’s provoking a serious blight to sportsmen and season ticket holders, citizens and the football club, all of whom are already victims of a few dozen delinquents who use games for their criminal activities," said President of the Catania Province Raffaele Lombardo.

There were even harsher accusations from Euro MP Nello Musumeci. "This was an unjust sentence, abnormal, discriminatory and racist from the North of Italy that does not want a Southern club to be strong in Serie A."

Catania were challenging for fourth place before the Sicilian derby – against third place Palermo – saw rioting.

The Sicilian side is not new to troublemakers, as earlier this season the Massimino had already been shut for two games after repeated riots in the other two derbies with Messina and the Rosanero.

One local figure tried to calm the situation, as public prosecutor Ignazio Fonzo warned the real damage to the city’s reputation was being done by these statements.

"We should avoid talking about conspiracies or persecution that does not exist, instead focusing on some constructive criticism of what actually happened.

"Catania cannot forget that 23 years ago, when we were last in Serie A, there were two suspensions on the stadium for crowd trouble against Milan and soon after in Messina. Let us not show that from 1984 nothing has changed, as that would give a negative impression of this city."

Source: C4 Football Italia

Catania handed stadium ban

Catania have been ordered to play the rest of their home matches this season behind closed doors at a neutral venue.

The punishment follows the violence that resulted in the death of a policeman outside their Stadio Angelo Massimino on 2 February.

Filippo Raciti was killed outside Catania's ground during rioting by fans at the Sicilian derby with Palermo. All Italian football was temporarily suspended following Raciti's death and a reappraisal of stadium safety has since been undertaken.

A statement on the Italian Football League website said the ban reflected "the gravity of the events and the real danger posed by these acts of violence".

And it added that the punishment took into consideration "the absolute uselessness of sanctions already inflicted on Catania for previous acts of violence by its supporters".

Catania were fined in September 2006 and ordered to play two matches behind closed doors after their supporters clashed with fans of Messina and Palermo.

The ban on playing at the Massimino will run until 30 June.

Such a decision was expected and the island side will now probably switch their ‘home’ matches to Rome or Rieti – without any fans – starting with this weekend’s Fiorentina clash.

The Massimino is also one of the many stadia which doesn’t meet with the Legge Pisanu safety regulations and will not be up to standard for at least another month anyway.

Catania, who were also handed a £33,475 fine, are expected to appeal against the decision in an effort to use their arena again before next season.

"This sentence has brought a city to its knees," remarked Catania general director Pietro Lo Monaco. "It forces us to close with football despite our limited responsibility in the incidents, seeing as they occurred outside of the stadium.

"It is only normal that we will do all we can so that the healthy part of the support can see the team they love before the end of the campaign.

"Several newspapers had announced that this would be the verdict and that is exactly what happened," added Lo Monaco.

"I need to understand a few things. [Disciplinary judge] Gianpaolo Tosel stated that he did not punish Torino and Roma for their supporters booing during the minute of silence on Sunday because the ‘healthy’ part of the supporters prevailed.

"What does this mean? That we don’t have any decent supporters? Are we all third world citizens in Catania?"

Source: C4 Football Italia

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

UEFA: San Siro opens for business

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza should reopen to spectators in time for Milan’s next Champions League fixture, according to UEFA.

The stadium was not included in the list of stadia shown the green light by the Government last week, thus fuelling speculation that Inter and Milan had asked UEFA to play their home ties elsewhere.

However, work carried out on Friday night allowed 28 new turnstiles to be installed at the San Siro, bringing the arena closer to the Legge Pisanu requirements, while the rest of the work should be completed within the next two weeks.

Rossoneri season ticket holders – numbering 37,297 fans – were therefore allowed access to the stadium for Sunday’s match with Livorno, an important test according to UEFA spokesman William Gaillard.

"What happened over the weekend was a good dress rehearsal and I anticipate that there will be a normal capacity crowd for the game between Milan and Celtic on March 7," the official said in an interview with BBC Radio FiveLive.

"It was played in front of season ticket holders only because they were trying the new turnstiles," added the spokesman.

"Things went well, the turnstiles were installed successfully and, at this stage, we cannot foresee why the game will need to be moved to another location," concluded Gaillard.

UEFA chief Michel Platini held talks with the FIGC on Friday and discussions will continue throughout the week.

European football’s governing body is hoping to reach an agreement over the venue of the Euro 2008 qualifier with Scotland on March 28, as original hosts Bari also failed to meet the necessary safety requirements.

"I believe both Inter and Milan will play their Champions League matches at the San Siro, once more turnstiles are installed. That is what we requested and we hope we will play in front of our supporters," declared Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani.

Inter are scheduled to host Valencia on February 21 and reports suggest that the stadium will be open to fans on that occasion as well, although possibly with a reduced capacity.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Napoli eager to reopen

Napoli are desperate to open the Stadio San Paolo to season ticket holders as soon as possible, according to director general Pierpaolo Marino.

The stadium was not included in the list of venues allowed to host spectators after the new safety laws were implemented and the Azzurri were forced to face Piacenza on Saturday in an empty arena.

"We have been working for about a year to renovate the facility in order for it to meet the safety measures," Marino told Radio Anch'io Sport.

"I don’t know when we will be able to reopen, but we are doing all we can to allow our season ticket holders to return to the stands as soon as possible," added the official.

Napoli’s stadium, as well as many others all over the peninsula, had bypassed the 2005 Legge Pisanu thanks to a special permit granted by the local Chief of Police, but that was revoked after last week’s events in Catania.

"We had been granted a pass, but we had kept on working hard nonetheless, agreeing to pay in advance as the town council did not have the money," explained Marino.

"We have ordered the turnstiles needed and they should be delivered shortly. The revocation of the permission we had been granted obviously created some problems.

"In the meantime, we will refund season ticket holders for the matches they will not be allowed to attend, although I don’t think money is the problem.

"The real damage, that cannot be refunded in any way, is that they will not be able to be close to the team," concluded the club official.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Pancalli hails calcio revival

FIGC Commissioner Luca Pancalli has hailed this weekend’s games as "a victory of the common fan over the hooligans."

He ordered the immediate suspension of all football activity in Italy last week following the death of Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti in the Catania riot.

With new security measures in place and stadiums opened only if they passed the strict standards, Serie A and B were able to resume without incident.

"I saw today as the first day of school," he told Sky Italia. "We are beginning again, but it’s not enough. We have to promote an educational process allowing the nation to experience football as sport again."

Although there was no violence, there were unsavoury incidents, as the minute’s silence was not respected by a section of Ultras at Roma and Torino.

"There were only a small minority and their jeers were drowned out by the applause of the majority. The real fans won over the hooligans today and that too was a positive sign. There is the desire to change and we have to push forward."

While some have urged the introduction of the so-called ‘English model’ of policing football-related violence, Pancalli points out that isn’t possible.

"The British judicial system is very different to ours. I have always said that we cannot simply adopt another model entirely. Their experience is important, but we have to find our path suitable for our magistrates.

"I have great faith in the future. I think that today can change something, because I see the responsibility of the directors and the people. The fans are convincing me we are on the right road. The new rules may seem rigid, but the gravity of the situation demanded it for the greater good."

He also hinted that the clubs will soon be able to take control of the stadiums – which are currently leased out by the local councils – and therefore impose different security measures.

However, Pancalli’s reign will come to an end within the next couple of months. He is only the Extraordinary Commissioner following Guido Rossi’s resignation and UEFA have demanded a democratically elected President of the Federation if Italy are to proceed with their Euro 2012 bid.

"I thought it opportune to fly to Nyon and explain the situation to UEFA. In these weeks I have read how our rivals have presented our nation and our football. Italy is coming out of a grave crisis, but transforming it into an opportunity," he continued.

"I verified with Michel Platini that the Federation will have a democratically elected President before the Euro 2012 decision on April 18. The statutes are clear on this and we must respect them, although I confirm that I am not a candidate.

"Our project is a committed and credible one in which two new stadiums will be built and six restructured, all without extra cost to the State beyond the £13m already agreed."

The other shortlisted contenders for the Euro 2012 games are Poland-Ukraine and Croatia-Hungary.

Source: C4 Football Italia

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

Arrigoni feels for Livorno fans

Livorno tactician Daniele Arrigoni is concerned that the increased security measures will damage the majority of well behaved fans most of all.

"I consider it a shame that those good supporters who just want to follow their favourite team are the ones who are penalised," said the coach.

The rioting in Catania on February 2, where a police officer lost his life, prompted a rethink of stadium security in Italy.

Although the San Siro is not up to standard yet, overnight work to install 28 turnstiles means the arena has been passed safe for the 38,000 Milan season ticket holders.

Unfortunately for Livorno, this means they will have only Rossoneri supporters in the stands and none of their own tifosi.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Colomba proud of Sant'Elia

Cagliari will be able to let the fans in for today’s game against Siena and coach Franco Colomba believes Sardinia should be proud.

"The fact that the Stadio Sant’Elia is up to standard should be a source of pride for the President and all the city," said the tactician.

Only six stadiums have so far been fully cleared under new security measures brought in after the death of a police officer in the Catania riots, although the San Siro can let in season ticket holders this weekend following emergency work to install turnstiles.

It’s an important match for Cagliari and they will need the support of their fans after a disappointing defeat with Reggina.

"We’ll be facing a very organised Siena side with some excellent individual talents upfront," continued Colomba.

"It will be key to take control of the midfield and immediately set our tempo on the game. Diego Lopez is undoubtedly a big player for us, but I am convinced that Joe Bizera will ensure he is not missed."

Source: C4 Football Italia

Guidolin wants new approach

Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin has urged fans in the Stadio Barbera to change their chanting styles.

A minute’s silence is held before every game this weekend for 38-year-old Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti, but in Italy the crowd usually shows respect by applauding.

"I hope that the minute’s silence on Sunday is truly that," he said. "I also trust that from now on we will no longer hear those vicious chants against opponents, but instead focus on cheering on their own teams. A different civic education is needed."

Sicily was the flashpoint that forced sweeping changes to the security checks in Italian stadiums, although Palermo’s Renzo Barbera is one of only six – seven counting just the Milan season ticket holders at San Siro – that are cleared to welcome fans this weekend.

Source: C4 Football Italia

Mancini blames World Cup venues

Roberto Mancini points out that the real fault for the stadium situation stretches back to the 1990 World Cup.

"It has been a terrible week for everyone who loves football," said the Inter Coach after the death of a police officer in the Catania riots on February 2.

The tragic incidents pushed the Government to clamp down on security measures, which means shutting some venues until they can be brought up to standard.

The Stadio Bentegodi is one of them, so the Nerazzurri will play Chievo in a deserted arena this afternoon.

"Our newest stadiums were finished in May 1990 for the World Cup, but by September they were already out of date. You could see even then that they weren’t built for people and in my view are some of the worst in the world."

Many of the 1990 arenas were built with athletics tracks so that they warranted extra grants, but over the years they have hardly ever been used, instead serving only to distance the fans from the field.

The Stadio Delle' Alpi in Turin is a prime example that will be completely restructured this year to remove the track and reduce the capacity.

"This is the problem and the clubs must be helped by the councils to make things right. However, I absolutely don’t agree with those who called for football to be halted indefinitely. There is bitterness, yes, but we must not generalise about the fans."

Source: C4 Football Italia

Atalanta protest clampdown

Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono and President Ivan Ruggeri feel the season will be "falsified" by the ban on supporters in some stadiums.

"I totally agree with a security clampdown on violent hooligans, but it’s not right to penalise everyone," said the tactician.

Only six stadiums – plus San Siro for season ticket holders only – in Serie A will be able to let supporters in to the stands today after passing strict new laws, but Atalanta will face Lazio in a deserted Stadio Azzurri d’Italia.

"The decision to have some matches with the public and some not is not the correct way to go about this and I think it casts a shadow of the regularity of this championship."

President Ruggeri was even more damning of the ruling that forces the Orobici to play behind closed doors.

"Today will be the real test, not just for Atalanta, and I hope we can all be happy and relaxed by the evening," said the patron.

"I am worried and told the authorities as much. There is the risk that some delinquent won’t accept the clampdown. In my view the best solution was either all the stadiums were open or they were all closed. This is falsifying the championship.

"For example, Roma playing at the Stadio Olimpico with a crowd makes a real difference to the performances. As a club we are not at fault and perhaps the signal sent out by the powers that be was too heavy-handed."

The Legge Pisanu was introduced over a year ago, but the clubs had been given extension orders from the local councils – all scrapped in the wake of Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti’s death in the Catania riots.

"We had been assured we had until June to complete the work, now there are companies taking advantage of the hurry to increase their prices for the restructuring," insisted Ruggeri.

"In the next week we will have completed the pre-filtering area around the stadium, but the rest won’t be finished until May. I understand it was a shock, but everything changed in 24 hours and previous legal agreements were torn up."

Source: C4 Football Italia

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