Italian league halted by violence

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has called off all this weekend's Serie A and Serie B games after a policeman was killed at a match on Friday.

A 38-year-old officer died as violence flared during and after the Serie A game between Sicilian rivals Catania and Palermo, which Palermo won 2-1.

The game was being played on Friday because of fears over public safety.

FIGC has cancelled Italy's game with Romania on Wednesday and an Under-21 match against Bulgaria on Tuesday too.

The derby game was suspended after an hour when tear gas, used by police to break up the fighting outside the ground, drifted onto the field.

There was fighting outside the ground, reported ANSA news agency, because Palermo fans could not get into Catania's Stadio Massimino until the second half.

The two teams fled the pitch for the dressing-room, with the game suspended for 30 minutes.

Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence had been held following the death of a club official from lower league club Sammartinese at a game last weekend.

Atfer the match, fans continued to fight running battles with police on the streets outside the stadium and around 100 people were being treated for injuries.

Catania club executive Pietro Lo Monaco reacted to news of the officer's death by announcing he would leave football.

"I've heard that a policeman has died," he said. "To speak of football right now seems useless. For me this is the end. I will leave the football world.

"I don't recognise myself in this world anymore. I have loved football intensely but after this right now it seems absurd."

Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin was quick to blame Catania fans for the violence.

"We won the match, but we cannot enjoy this victory," said Guidolin. "Football cannot last for much longer like this. There will be no joy in it."

The Catania prosecutor's office has announced an investigation into the incident.

Italian prime minister Romano Prodi also issued a statement.

"After the serious incidents that occurred tonight in Catania, my first thought is for the people that have been affected and for their families," he said.

"I feel a duty to say that we need a strong and clear signal to avoid the degeneration of this sport which we are seeing more dramatically and more often."

Palermo had taken the lead through Andrea Caracciolo, but Catania equalised within 60 seconds of the teams coming back out thanks to Fabio Caserta.

Palermo won the game with a controversial David di Michele goal in the 83rd minute.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6326513.stm

Disgraceful!!!

- They should suspend it for a year
- Take out every Italian team out of Europe for a year or two
- Ban all ultras from games
- Put them in prison for more than one day :rolleyes:
- Punish the teams with severe fines and if it continues; point deductions and even take them out of the game in a worst case scenario.
- Take off the chance of Italy getting EURO 2012
...

then the problem would be solved

while there at it, also forbid any italian to step out of there home for the rest of the world's existance...sheesh..

Disgraceful!!!

- They should suspend it for a year
- Take out every Italian team out of Europe for a year or two
- Ban all ultras from games
- Put them in prison for more than one day :rolleyes:
- Punish the teams with severe fines and if it continues; point deductions and even take them out of the game in a worst case scenario.
- Take off the chance of Italy getting EURO 2012
...

then the problem would be solved

sure dude , its sound s pretty , but if they are going to do that, they gonna have to do it on all the leagues around the world, you see ultras out of control on almost all the leagues.

while there at it, also forbid any italian to step out of there home for the rest of the world's existance...sheesh..

that's a bit over the top. :)

sure dude , its sound s pretty , but if they are going to do that, they gonna have to do it on all the leagues around the world, you see ultras out of control on almost all the leagues.

yeah but in Italy they don't know what the hell they're doing. The big guns don't have balls to do anything.

In England it calmed down and should look at what measures they took to fix it.

If Everton and Blackburn did that England would be banned from Europe.

But FIFA/UEFA will only wag their finger at Italy.

If Everton and Blackburn did that England would be banned from Europe.

But FIFA/UEFA will only wag their finger at Italy.
True

Azzurri friendlies called off
Friday 2 February, 2007
The "indefinite" halt to Italian football following crowd violence has spread to the Azzurri, so friendlies against Belgium and Romania have been called off.

FIGC President Luca Pancalli ordered the immediate suspension of all football in Italy after a policeman was killed in riots at Catania’s Stadio Massimino.

It has now been confirmed that decision also includes the international friendly that Roberto Donadoni's World Cup winners were set to play against Romania on Wednesday at Siena’s Stadio Franchi.

Tuesday’s Under-21 meeting between Pierluigi Casiraghi’s Italy side and their Belgian counterparts has also been called off.

“We are stopping football indefinitely. One weekend is not sufficient. Without drastic measures, we will not allow sport to resume,” added FIGC chief Pancalli this evening.

Filippo Raciti, a 38-year-old policeman, was killed when a homemade bomb thrown by Catania fans exploded inside his car.

The match against Palermo, won 2-1 by the visitors, had already been halted for 30 minutes due to crowd trouble that saw tear gas float on to the pitch.

_______________________

Players urge year-long suspension
Friday 2 February, 2007
The Players’ Association has urged the suspension of Italian football Leagues for a whole year after the latest tragic incidents.

“Football should stop for a year to reflect on all the evil that comes from it. The culture that surrounds our sport is wrong and has to be revolutionised. We need patience for that to happen and maybe passing on to another generation,” said AIC President Sergio Campana.

The FIGC called a halt to all Serie A, B, C and Youth Championship games this weekend after the riots that marred the Sicilian derby.

A 38-year-old policeman was killed in the battles with Catania supporters following Palermo’s 2-1 victory at the Stadio Massimino.

At the moment it is unclear when the fixture list will resume, but the Players Association is urging for a definitive stance.

“I think that faced with these events, football should stop for a year and see if we can change our whole approach to sport,” continued Campana.

“We have for some time been pointing out that there are weekly attacks on players because they lose a game. This means the very culture of sport in this country is wrong. Right when football is trying to rediscover its credibility after Calciopoli, this sort of thing leaves us dumbfounded.”

The last time Serie A ground to a halt over fan violence was on February 5, 1995, when Genoa supporter Vincenzo Spagnolo was stabbed to death ahead of a match against Milan.

“The death of a policeman in Catania and the many injuries as a result of this riot is a disturbing turn of events that calls for drastic measures,” said Minister for Sport Giovanna Melandri.

“The Government will no longer tolerate the need for thousands of police officers in every match to ensure the safety of its citizens. Along with the Home Office Minister Giuliano Amato, we consider the suspension of the next round of games to be an opportune decision by the FIGC.

“The Government and the world of sport must come together now to make sure the Leagues begin again in a totally different way.”

The Sicilian derby was the final straw in a situation that has been growing in the peninsula.

In March 2004 the Rome derby was abandoned at half-time after reports – which later proved to be false – suggested a child had been run over and killed by a police van outside the Stadio Olimpico. This claim prompted extreme tension and riots.

The most tragic incident was only last week, when Sammartinese director Ermanno Licursi died from a brain haemorrhage when a fight broke out between opposition players in the Calabrian amateur League. It emerged he had been kicked in the head.

I've said it before and i repeat it. In Italy you can get away with murder.
Savages.

- They should suspend it for a year
- Take out every Italian team out of Europe for a year or two
- Ban all ultras from games
- Put them in prison for more than one day
- Punish the teams with severe fines and if it continues; point deductions and even take them out of the game in a worst case scenario.
- Take off the chance of Italy getting EURO 2012

I agree 100% and no i am not joking Mark (H)

Let's kick Italy out of football.

Start playing baseball Italy.

Italians having wooden bats and hard knocking balls? Bobby are you sure you want that? (H)

Italians having wooden bats and hard knocking balls? Bobby are you sure you want that? (H)


haha, thats what we need, a goodfella frenzy , italians should stick to chess.

Sucks to hear news like that :nape:. Everyone in Italian football will surely feel the punishment after all is done. Agree with your post there Mark.

Right now, all of the Italian football suits are saying that "changes are going to be made." However, like the other 10,000 times that they've said that, nothing will happen, and come next weekend, it will be business as usual once again. The only way change will enter the Italian game is if a tragedy of Hillsborough-like proportions happens. All the ingredients for the Perfect Storm are there: the Ultras that don't take no for an answer, the inept police/security people, football officials that are easily manipulated, the crumbling stadia, etc.

as usual nothing will be done and it will be forgotten in a week or two.

I say the leagues should cease for a lengthy period of time, and no games can be played in Italy, the NT has play their Euro 2008 games at a a neutral venue, and the teams still in Europe this season would have to do the same

the funny things is , that stuff like this has been happening for decades in south america and europe for that matter, the federations or even fifa will never take matter into their own hands, i mean football in our generation is a piggy bank for the federations, if they would suspend their leagues, its suspending their money flow, i mean suspending a couple of their national team games its supose to make it up?, the ironic thing its that the italian federation and fifa will gain money by this with the fines.

sad news, this is what happens when you take football so seriously.. the same problem in Turkey and Greece..
(:/)
..... The only way change will enter the Italian game is if a tragedy of Hillsborough-like proportions happens........

so true, the further it goes, the quicker it will be resolved..

Filippo Raciti, a 38-year-old policeman, was killed when a homemade bomb thrown by Catania fans exploded inside his car.



homemade bomb in a football match? :| :| :|

The "indefinite" halt to Italian football following crowd violence has spread to the Azzurri, so friendlies against Belgium and Romania have been called off.


:( I must add Catania and Palermo to the "Most annoying club team" thread. :(

That's sad but it happens mor often.

Disgraceful!!!

- They should suspend it for a year
- Take out every Italian team out of Europe for a year or two
- Ban all ultras from games
- Put them in prison for more than one day :rolleyes:
- Punish the teams with severe fines and if it continues; point deductions and even take them out of the game in a worst case scenario.
- Take off the chance of Italy getting EURO 2012
...

then the problem would be solved

I Agree with you.
No word for that happened.

Total disgrace. I hope something positive comes out of this death and drastic measures are taken into consideration.
Sometimes, to clean the rotten bits you may have to sacrifice a couple good parts, if you know what I mean.

absolutely disgusting, and about bloody time they suspended them.

i think suspending the league would be too harsh for the players, this should not punish the players but the idiot fans, i say that all matches played in Italy be played behind closed doors and blacked out on TV for a year and that should make it easier on the players who would be wrongfully punished in this

If Everton and Blackburn did that England would be banned from Europe.

But FIFA/UEFA will only wag their finger at Italy.

Dont worry, Platini will have our asses hanged... Hehates every bit of us italians... Apart from that, its a shame.... :boohoo:

It's a sad tragedy, but this happens all over the world. The league should not be suspended, but instead they should have better security. How these fans keep getting into stadiums with all these explosions is beyond me. If this were in American at a football game, there'd be no chance of getting in with explosives.

How can people expect to control fans with no security? Get better security, don't allow explosives into the stadium, and everything will be fine.

I think it's a wakeup call for football in general, not just in Italy. The main reason the English game changed so much was due to the horrific tragedy at Hillsborough in 1989 between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest - The FA Cup semi final, hence a neutral venue (though the crush happened at the Liverpool end, resulting in the demise of 96 supporters)

What happened was a gate to the Leppings Lane stand was opened by the Police (criminal proceedings were bought by the victim's families) allowing a huge surge of supporters into the stand itself, the space rapidly filled up and supporters at the front were crushed against the old style metal fencing (To prevent access for hooligans to the pitch) Unfortunately and with a tragic irony, those fences did what they were designed to do, and by the time the crowd had breached them it was already far to late to prevent an awful incident.

A report into the state of English Stadia was commissioned and effected by Lord Justice Taylor. The "Taylor report" as it became known, abolished the metal fencing and also brought the end to terracing in top flight football (though in lower leagues both terracing and fencing can be found today. The thinking behind this was that with an allocated number of seats, the stands should always allow the free circulation of people in an emergency situation, or simply in the interests of comfort. Also seating prevented people "surging forward" and reduced the risk of crushing. This point is excellently illustrated in the movie "Fever Pitch"

Also if fans are restricted to sitting down, then the likelyhood of them invading the pitch was significantly (though not completely) reduced so the fences were no longer worth the trouble they caused.

It is entirely possible that it was this new way of stadium design, as well as a general rise in ticket prices and money being pumped in by Sky at the birth of "The FA Premier League" all combined to reduce hooliganism. Maybe the working class people (and hooligans were usually just average people) were already being priced out of games. Obviously sitting down made it harder to move and fight during games, and maybe the animosity outside died down as a result, leading to fewer fights.

On the continent, however football stadiums remain largely traditional (though all seater stadia are being built evermore these days) And things like flares and banners are actively encouraged on the mainland (Flares and large flags are pretty much banned in English stadia now) Perhaps that is why the atmosphere is better on European nights.

Unfortunately, until a compromise is made - the majority of innocent football fans may just have to lose some freedoms for the sake of a few who cross the line.

It undoubtedly would cost football something if the huge banners and blazing flares and packed stands with thousands of screaming and jumping fans of Serie A were consigned to history - but people are losing lives here, and that is far more important.


Mike

It's a sad tragedy, but this happens all over the world. The league should not be suspended, but instead they should have better security. How these fans keep getting into stadiums with all these explosions is beyond me. If this were in American at a football game, there'd be no chance of getting in with explosives.

How can people expect to control fans with no security? Get better security, don't allow explosives into the stadium, and everything will be fine.

But the disturbs started way before the match itself, outside the stadium. Of course they should not allow people to enter the stadium with explosives and stuff, but that's not enough, that's not going to solve the problem. Other measures are needed, like those Mark77 referred.

The punishments mark77 put forward will do nothing to stop this in the future. It will only get those "Ultras" madder in which when they are allowed back they will cause more damage because of their rage. Punishment is good, but you have to take positive punishment because you can cause more damage if you aren't careful.

I think MikeM's post was brilliant, instead of looking for negative punishment everywhere, look at how to improve the situation in the stands. Creating more strict rules and better stadiums will go a long way in helping to solve this problem. Once the necessary rules are put into place, harsh punishments can be put into place for those who don't follow the rules.

Ultras are controlling the teams now.

Ultra: "I got these flairs and "homemade" bombs here, if I throw it you'll get a serious fine".

Club Prez: "ok ok, here's some free tickets".


I say keep those that put banners to support the team and send a postive message, the rest should be eliminated. They have the clubs by the balls. Some of them are even paid by the teams for different reasons.

excellent post MikeyM.

There was a law in Italy that's not even respected on stadium security. If it was respected maybe some things like yesterday wouldn't have happened and the clubs wouldn't be able to play in the Serie A because the stadium and security is not conform to the law.

The punishments mark77 put forward will do nothing to stop this in the future. It will only get those "Ultras" madder in which when they are allowed back they will cause more damage because of their rage. Punishment is good, but you have to take positive punishment because you can cause more damage if you aren't careful.

I think MikeM's post was brilliant, instead of looking for negative punishment everywhere, look at how to improve the situation in the stands. Creating more strict rules and better stadiums will go a long way in helping to solve this problem. Once the necessary rules are put into place, harsh punishments can be put into place for those who don't follow the rules.

There are rules already mate, and the italian supporters in this specific situation didn't respect them, therefore should be sanctioned. Don't get me wrong I have absolutely nothing against Italy, on the contrary, and this sort of things happens in many places, not just there, what I think is it takes severe measures for people to realize the importance of this. These situations have been repeating themselves for too long now, and people who do it just don't know when to stop.

But it's not for us to decide, let's see what Uefa does, probably nothing.

And again, the confrontations started outside the stadium, and you are only suggesting measures for the inside of the stadium. (this doesn't mean that those shouldn't be taken in conseridation)

Even thought i agree with the suspension this may be a disaster for Italian football. First all the corruption and now this.... Not only the league would be damage but not many stars would like to go to Italy to play for the big clubs. One because of fear that a bomb may hit them, racism and not playing in Europe would scare them to play for the big clubs in Italy.

But i agree that there has to be changes and radical changes before it gets uglier.

I think FIFA should run Italian football for awhile.

Maybe now Ronaldo will have enough time to get in shape before his first game.

so the italian CL games will be played with complete crowd shut-outs?

so the italian CL games will be played with complete crowd shut-outs?

I heard a rumor that Celtic will ask UEFA to have Milan's home leg played outside of Italy. I wouldn't say they're out of line in doing this either.

I feel pity for Italian football. :(

But, I hope the resolutions will at least kicking out every ultras in every Italian clubs. I meant it !

not good for italia football, they just keep gettin it upside thier heads except the worldcup of course, they should ban flares, and was it the Palermo fans or Catania b/c they should have HARSH penalty because you cant measure death tahts sad how its a policeman at a football match, mannn dat sucks the guy prolly had a family as well and b/c of some stupid **** he wont be their nemore, the penalty should be HARSH and just because other clubs dont get ppl killed dont matter cuz with these ultras theirs always potential from someone to get hurt, AND i wouldnt be surprised for ne clubs playing italy clubs in the champions league to have thier matched played away from Italy due to safety reasons, that could go down

cancel Italian football for a year. that way Inter will have won a Scudetto and lost a Scudetto by default in 2 consecutive seasons.

rony spot on as usual (H)

I heard a rumor that Celtic will ask UEFA to have Milan's home leg played outside of Italy. I wouldn't say they're out of line in doing this either.

definitely out of line :( Celtic are sure as hell that nothing will happen to them in italy but just want to take advantage of the situation.. sick attitude..

heh but in other point of view, italians got hit by their own weapon.. they always look for that kind of possibility to take advantage of.. ;)

definitely out of line :( Celtic are sure as hell that nothing will happen to them in italy but just want to take advantage of the situation.. sick attitude..

heh but in other point of view, italians got hit by their own weapon.. they always look for that kind of possibility to take advantage of.. ;)

Not exactly sure. Boro fans were attacked by an axe welding Roma fan last year, and when Wales played in Italy awhile ago the Welsh fans were seated in the lower tier. The Italians pissed, spat, and vomited on them.

Not exactly sure. Boro fans were attacked by an axe welding Roma fan last year, and when Wales played in Italy awhile ago the Welsh fans were seated in the lower tier. The Italians pissed, spat, and vomited on them.

hmm.. you maybe right I`ll give you that.. it was previously occured to me that since UEFA has strict disciplinary procedures on continental competetions, italians might put more emphasis on security matters (at least it works that way in Turkey ;).. ) but then, I just remembered the things happened to Galatasaray fans in Olimpico a few years ago, it completes the scene that happened to Boro fans..

but again, I cant think celtic`s concerns are all related with the security matters.. :(

cancel Italian football for a year. that way Inter will have won a Scudetto and lost a Scudetto by default in 2 consecutive seasons.

I was thinking almost the same thing :D






but dont ban Italian football :(

And damn, Celtic want to ask Milan to play out of Italy? Man..

Crazy!!!!!

?

Not exactly sure. Boro fans were attacked by an axe welding Roma fan last year, and when Wales played in Italy awhile ago the Welsh fans were seated in the lower tier. The Italians pissed, spat, and vomited on them.

Roma ultras are nuts though. most Milan fans are pretty civilized, probably because most are of the higher classes... kind of like at a Leafs game, mostly the business sector... I'm sorry now I'm just trailing off: bob:

It’s reported that the meeting between the Government and football authorities will decree the rest of the season be played behind closed doors.

“Nothing is to be excluded at this point,” commented CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Gianni Petrucci.

Following the riots in Catania on Friday evening, which resulted in the death of 38-year-old Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti, FIGC Commissioner Luca Pancalli ordered the immediate suspension of all football activity in Italy until further notice.

A meeting has been set up for Sunday between members of the Government, including Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and the sports authorities to discuss what the next step will be.

According to rumours from within the two camps, the season will be halted for two weeks and when it resumes, it will be behind closed doors for the rest of the campaign.

This will give the clubs and local councils the necessary time to complete renovation work that should already have brought the stadiums up to code under the Legge Pisanu ruling.

The Legge Pisanu demanded all clubs and arenas ensure CCTV footage, numbered and named tickets, stewards paid for by the sides to police the fans and adequate turnstiles, but so far very few stadiums fit the bill.


================================================== =

The Home Office has blamed the clubs and football authorities for a “laissez-faire attitude” to controlling the Ultra’.

“There has been too much of a laissez-faire attitude and an unacceptable indulgence. My men are risking their lives here and in these conditions I won’t send them to games,” said Home Office Minister Giuliano Amato.

The Legge Pisanu was supposed to clamp down on violence in Italian football, but over a year on from the law’s inception, only a handful of stadiums are up to code.

CCTV systems are not in place, named tickets aren’t checked regularly and the clubs have not provided enough stewards to police the fans in the Curva.

“This situation can be tracked back to an increased number of ‘at risk’ games, the persistent conflict between violent factions of some fanbases and the desperate need to complete restructuring work on some stadiums. In the case of the latter, police are called in to make up for those weaknesses.”

The main problem in this case appears to be the on-going debate over who is responsible for the upkeep of the stadiums.

In Italy, the arenas are owned and run by the local council, but rented out to clubs for the matches. The Legge Pisanu hands the sides the responsibility of policing their own fans with specially paid stewards, but so far few have implemented the recommendations.

Also, the authorities have repeatedly allowed delays in the restructuring work for the stadiums.

“There was an under-estimation of how bad the situation was by accepting delays in bringing the arenas up to code,” said Silp-Cgil union chief Claudio Giardullo.

“Above all, there was an indulgence when it came to the relationship between the clubs and their fans, a rapport that still needs to be examined. At the end of it all we, as usual, end up paying the price.”

It has long been known that the Ultra’ wield a great deal of power with the clubs. Players often meet with the fans and attend the funerals of the leading figures in the hard-line faction of these supporters.

Last week Messina Coach Bruno Giordano was fired after a meeting between President Pietro Franza and the Ultra’ leaders.

wtf

where is my Inter - Roma match...

gay...

I heard a rumor that Celtic will ask UEFA to have Milan's home leg played outside of Italy. I wouldn't say they're out of line in doing this either.

and wouldnt be suprised either if this actually happened.

like rony said, the big clubs dont have this problem. but I think I wouldnt be surprised if it did happen.

who cares, we gonna whip Celtic anywhere we play :D

Hahaha, now the fans are asking for a bye (H)

hopefully UEFA realize that two sold-out stadiums at Celtic Park and the San Siro is just too much money for them to give away :(

Hahaha, now the fans are asking for a bye (H)

I'd try for that **** too:D

Well from what I have been reading regarding all past incidents, and the current comments from those that deal with the economis of it all. This seems like it will just be another incident in italy and all will be business as usual within weeks. With small punishements that will lead to nothing being changed.

Hahaha, now the fans are asking for a bye (H)

haha, they will do anything to get into the quarters.































anything. :(

Sunday service for Serie A Tuesday 6 February, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Serie A will resume on Sunday with the Week 23 fixtures, according to Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani.

Football in Italy was suspended indefinitely on Friday night after the death of a police officer, with the Week 22 Serie A games being postponed after the Catania-Palermo riots.

But the Lega Calcio held an informal assembly on Tuesday and decided to approve the proposal of playing next weekend, even if FIGC commissioner Luca Pancalli will need to ratify the decision after a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“We will play the matches scheduled for Week 23 on Sunday,” said Galliani after leaving the meeting.

“Last weekend’s Serie A games will take place on April 18, whereas Serie B will play on April 17.”

The big match between Inter and Roma scheduled at the San Siro last Sunday will therefore be played in mid April, thus probably causing the first leg of the Coppa Italia Final to be postponed.

Catania chief Antonino Pulvirenti confirmed Galliani’s words by insisting that there was no tug of war with the Government.

“We agree with the Government and want to start playing again on Sunday,” he underlined.

It’s unclear at this stage whether fans will be allowed to attend games which do not satisfy the necessary stadium regulations.

The next round of games will also include another Sicilian derby as Messina host Catania at the San Filippo.

I think the rest of matches in Serie A & B should be played in a closed stadiums without the fans. Should be a lesson for ultras to learn how to save Italian football in general.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=407276&cc=5901

Will see how much power the italian football federation actually has, or if they'll give in to pressure.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=407276&cc=5901

Will see how much power the italian football federation actually has, or if they'll give in to pressure.

I don't think The Italian Federation as the power to make C.Ronaldo sign a contract extension with ManU. :| :D



anyway, some teams are starting to cry about having empty stadiums and losing money already(Milan, Inter, Atalanta...)

The fed should stick with what they said and only stadiums that are 100% in line with the rules can have spectators at the games.

New security measures in place for Italy (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=407277&cc=5901)

Feb 7 (Reuters) - Italy's government has announced tough new security measures for the country's football stadiums following a policeman's death during a riot at a Serie A match between Catania and Palermo on Friday.


The measures will become law if approved at a meeting of the Italian cabinet on Wednesday, which could lead to closed-door matches until they are fully or partly implemented.


Following are the new measures outlined by the Italian soccer federation, which discussed the rule changes with the government:

• A ban on the block sale of tickets to away fans to avoid large groups of visiting supporters organising trips to away fixtures.

• A toughening-up of the system of banning orders currently used against violent fans, who will face bans from stadiums for three to five years without being found guilty of any offence.

• Under-18s will also now face bans.

• Those subject to stadium bans must undertake "socially useful" work during the hours when matches are being played.

• The police can make football violence-related arrests without a warrant up to 48 hours after a crime has been committed, extending the current limit by 12 hours.

• A prohibition of any financial or working relationship between clubs and fan associations.

• The creation of a new watchdog to monitor declarations by anyone involved in the game, including club officials and sports media.

• The privatisation of Italy's stadiums, which are currently owned by city councils instead of the clubs.

Authorities will also demand clubs conform to the existing Pisanu Law, introduced in 2005 and aimed at curbing the worst violence in stadiums. Most clubs, however, do not own their stadiums and have refused to implement the law, arguing that the city councils who own the venues should pay for the work.

The main points of the Pisanu law are: numbered seating; electronic turnstiles activated by a ticket; closed-circuit TV surveillance inside and outside the stadium; transparent barriers separating different sectors of the stadium and home fans from away fans; a dedicated area for the police to oversee security; and one first-aid point for every 10,000 fans.

Stadiums with a capacity under 10,000 were exempt from the Pisanu law. Under the new regulations, smaller grounds would also have to conform to the law.

I don't think The Italian Federeation as the power to make C.Ronaldo sign a contract extension with ManU. :| :D


anyway, some teams are starting to cry about having empty stadiums and losing money already(Milan, Inter, Atalanta...)

The fed should stick with what they said and only stadiums that are 100% in line with the rules can have spectators at the games.

C. Ronaldo sign?? wait what??:| :(

Despite what they have said, I feel that they will give in to pressure..

haha, when I clicked on the link you gave I got an article on Cristiano Ronaldo. :D

ohh.. thats weird :crazyboy: but funny :D

RIP to the officer. What a big big shame. A life taken, for what? Violence in football has been around for way too long and something has to be done about it. Banning football all together until they figure out new measures to curb violence and lonngggg jail terms for those pr!cks is a good start.

Also sad to see the real meaning and feeling of ULTRAS going to sh!t because of hooligans. ULTRAS and hooligans are 2 totally different things. At least, it was.... ULTRAS, 100% love and support for club through thick and thin.

It's a sad tragedy, but this happens all over the world. The league should not be suspended, but instead they should have better security. How these fans keep getting into stadiums with all these explosions is beyond me. If this were in American at a football game, there'd be no chance of getting in with explosives.

How can people expect to control fans with no security? Get better security, don't allow explosives into the stadium, and everything will be fine.

Yea, I always leave my howitzer at home when I go to games, just in case they check! :mrpimp:

About the ultras, banning official groups would be worse because then they would go as casuals(as pure hooligans do). Usually Ultras are accompanied to stadiums by police and seated seperately. Casual hooligans blend in with normal folk on purpose as to not be spotted and cause more trouble. I know because I am part of OrgulloVikingo Ultras. Unfortunately, I don't spend much time in Spain nowadays but... We don't believe in violence, that's why our name isn't plastered on any paper, news, etc. ULTRAS against violence is asmall movement but hopefully one that will catch on quick.

Raciti was killed by a tear gas canister launched by a riot squad member. I say this because during the autopsy, a star-shaped form was seen on Raciti. And guess what type of shape the end of the tear gas rockets used had?You guessed it.A star!

http://miarroba.com/foros/ver.php?foroid=370846&temaid=5473830&pag=5

Scroll down the page and you will see it. Raciti was a key member in some Mafia linked trials a couple of years back, so some criminals may have used the riot to their advantage.

Just wanted to add that Catania is one of the most dangerous cities in Sicily. Catanese people and the cops has been an ongoing battle for a long time.

R.I.P Filippo Raciti