May 7 – The Italian government says it will crack down on hooliganism following the mayhem that marred last weekend’s domestic cup final in Rome.
Interior minister Angelino Alfano has threatened tougher measures, including lifetime bans, to make stadiums safer for families and children.
Pre-match clashes before the Napoli-Fiorentina final, between Ultras of Napoli and local side Roma, left a number of supporters and police injured. Ugly scenes also took place inside the stadium where supporters threw flares and smoke bombs and delayed the start of Napoli’s 3-1 final victory over Fiorentina.
Commentators and politicians have condemned the scenes as “shameful” but they reflected the current state of Italian football and the failure of the authorities to deal effectively with fan violence.
“Our objective is to reclaim football. We will give the stadiums back to families with children and move them away from the thugs,” Alfano told Canale 5 television channel. “The clubs have to do their part. It’s inconceivable that it remains alien to security.”
“It’s not possible that a sporting event becomes an almost event of war. We decided with (Prime Minister Matteo) Renzi to intervene at the end of the season when we will choose the new measures to come into force for the new season.”
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