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Goal Lazio: Will The ‘Tessera Del Tifoso’ Damage The Serie A Brand?
With the Curva Nord faithful already having disbanded, Goal.com’s Lazio expert analyses the negative effects of the forthcoming fans identity card…
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £19.50 | Draw £32.00 | Catania £41.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £21.00 | Draw £32.50 | Catania £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £20.50 | Draw £32.00 | Catania £38.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £20.30 | Draw £32.50 | Catania £43.00 |
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Jul 30, 2010 3:56:00 PM
By Stefano Federici
It has been a groundbreaking week for Serie A as the Italian top flight witnessed its first ever independent fixture ceremony since the split from the Federcalcio Italiana.
Such a move initially caused a stir in Rome’s Via Allegri where the general headquarters of the FIGC lie. The decision not to invite president Giancarlo Abete to the party also did little to smooth over relations between the league and football association. Nonetheless, despite the differences in opinions, few can deny that such a move was vital for Serie A if it is to remain competitive with the other major European leagues in seasons to come.
There are many in the Italian game who are finally starting to witness where changes must be made in order to bring Calcio into the 21st century. With a number of top flight club presidents also keen to move their sides into new stadiums some time into the future, it seems things can only get better for a championship which was the envy of the world no longer than a decade ago.
Despite the improvements that could boost Serie A’s brand image in the next few years, it appears new legislation regarding the fans could well have a counter effect on Italy’s top flight.
Fans up and down the peninsula have been bracing themselves for more than a year now on the arrival of the Tessera del Tifoso (fans identity card). Such a card has been implemented in a bid to reduce violent scenes and antisocial behaviour inside Italy’s aging football stadia. By ensuring all supporters sign up to the scheme, which includes a police check prior to being issued with the card, the authorities will be able to prohibit those persons with any criminal record from entering the stadia.
There is no doubt that any bid to eradicate violence from football is a good one, but at what point are the authorities denying the general public their civil liberties? In direct relation to the latter, there is a great risk that Serie A records its lowest ever attendance figures to date next term. With fans of all different colours looking to make a stand against what they see to be an ‘unfair’ and ‘unnecessary’ invasion of privacy the clubs could well be hit in the pockets as their faithful supporters opt out of the identity scheme.
“It is with much regret that we have decided to disband leaving behind what has always been our second home – the Stadio Olimpico’s Curva Nord,” read an official statement to Lazialita.it.
“As free men, we will never accept the idea that ‘someone’ can decide who can and who can’t enter the stadium to support our Lazio.
“Out with the ultras from the stadium! We will take with us our choreographies and our chants and leave behind what they have pressed for – empty cathedrals.”
With just 1500 season tickets being sold a month before the start of the new season, there is an alarming indication of what the atmosphere could be like next term during the Aquile’s home fixtures. As fellow groups such as the Catania ultras toe a similar line, it seems the measures to curb violence could end up curbing attendances altogether.
The Italian top flight has always prided itself on the spectacle produced by the fans during classic fixtures such as Lazio-Roma or Genoa-Sampdoria. With a key pulling factor for the newly formed Serie A likely to be threatened during the coming season, we can only hope that Calcio’s governing authorities are prepared to review the ‘Tessera del Tifoso’ upon completion of its first year.
Should such action be taken in 12 months time, there is hope that fans across the peninsula will take a step back and reassess their decisions to stay at home.
Such a move initially caused a stir in Rome’s Via Allegri where the general headquarters of the FIGC lie. The decision not to invite president Giancarlo Abete to the party also did little to smooth over relations between the league and football association. Nonetheless, despite the differences in opinions, few can deny that such a move was vital for Serie A if it is to remain competitive with the other major European leagues in seasons to come.
There are many in the Italian game who are finally starting to witness where changes must be made in order to bring Calcio into the 21st century. With a number of top flight club presidents also keen to move their sides into new stadiums some time into the future, it seems things can only get better for a championship which was the envy of the world no longer than a decade ago.
Despite the improvements that could boost Serie A’s brand image in the next few years, it appears new legislation regarding the fans could well have a counter effect on Italy’s top flight.
Fans up and down the peninsula have been bracing themselves for more than a year now on the arrival of the Tessera del Tifoso (fans identity card). Such a card has been implemented in a bid to reduce violent scenes and antisocial behaviour inside Italy’s aging football stadia. By ensuring all supporters sign up to the scheme, which includes a police check prior to being issued with the card, the authorities will be able to prohibit those persons with any criminal record from entering the stadia.
There is no doubt that any bid to eradicate violence from football is a good one, but at what point are the authorities denying the general public their civil liberties? In direct relation to the latter, there is a great risk that Serie A records its lowest ever attendance figures to date next term. With fans of all different colours looking to make a stand against what they see to be an ‘unfair’ and ‘unnecessary’ invasion of privacy the clubs could well be hit in the pockets as their faithful supporters opt out of the identity scheme.
“It is with much regret that we have decided to disband leaving behind what has always been our second home – the Stadio Olimpico’s Curva Nord,” read an official statement to Lazialita.it.
“As free men, we will never accept the idea that ‘someone’ can decide who can and who can’t enter the stadium to support our Lazio.
“Out with the ultras from the stadium! We will take with us our choreographies and our chants and leave behind what they have pressed for – empty cathedrals.”
With just 1500 season tickets being sold a month before the start of the new season, there is an alarming indication of what the atmosphere could be like next term during the Aquile’s home fixtures. As fellow groups such as the Catania ultras toe a similar line, it seems the measures to curb violence could end up curbing attendances altogether.
The Italian top flight has always prided itself on the spectacle produced by the fans during classic fixtures such as Lazio-Roma or Genoa-Sampdoria. With a key pulling factor for the newly formed Serie A likely to be threatened during the coming season, we can only hope that Calcio’s governing authorities are prepared to review the ‘Tessera del Tifoso’ upon completion of its first year.
Should such action be taken in 12 months time, there is hope that fans across the peninsula will take a step back and reassess their decisions to stay at home.
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