The Italian government said on Monday that football clubs whose
stadium security does not meet the necessary legal requirements
will be forced to play their matches behind closed doors.
The move comes just three days after the death of policeman
Filippo Raciti at the Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo
when fans went on the rampage before, during and after the
highly-charged Serie A match.
The violence led to a suspension of all domestic and
international matches.
Italy's interior minister Giuliano Amato insisted clubs would
have to ensure their stadiums were safe or risk playing in front of
empty seats.
"There is no debate to be had about this matter," Amato said
after a meeting with Gianni Petrucci, the president of the Italian
Olympic Committee (CONI) and Luca Pancalli, acting president of the
Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Pancalli said he was hopeful of a resumption this weekend.
"After the government announces the emergency measures for
football on Wednesday we will decide when to resume the
championships," said Pancalli, who was drafted in to clean up the
image of Italian soccer after last year's match-fixing scandal.
Only four Italian stadiums are believed to have security that
falls into line with the 'Decreto Pisanu', laws passed by the
previous government in an atttempt to clamp down on
hooliganism.
The measures include CCTV, named tickets, automatic turnstiles,
adequate stewarding, the banning of racist banners and fireworks
and flares.
But most clubs have failed to implement the regulations and the
violence has continued up and down the country every week.
In Italy, many stadiums are owned by local councils and rented
out to the clubs, and the clubs are reluctant to spend money on
improving security as it eats into their profits.
AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini said playing matches without
spectators would herald the death of the game in Italy.
"It would be an absurd solution," said Maldini.
"Playing behind closed doors will be the death of football, even
if it's obvious that something has to be done."
(China Daily via AFP February 7, 2007)