Serie A and B resume on Sunday
FIGC Commissioner Luca Pancalli has confirmed the Serie A and B fixtures
will resume this weekend.
"I think it would be a mistake not to begin again," he said after the
Government passed new laws clamping down on football-related violence.
"It would also be an error not to ride the positive momentum created in
these days with a profound understanding of everyone's responsibilities. Now we
can no longer back down to hooligans."
As expected, the campaign will resume from the Week 23 fixtures, so the
games suspended last Sunday will be played at a later date - provisionally in
April.
However, the clubs are not happy with the ruling that stadiums must host
matches behind closed doors until they pass the Legge Pisanu tests.
"There is a very clear and definite order here. As of today, venues not
up to standard will have to play behind closed doors," warned Minister of the
Interior Giuliano Amato.
The sides, led by Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani, had urged for at
least the season ticket holders to be allowed in while restructuring work is
underway.
"When the turnstiles and security checks for numbered tickets are in
place, the stadiums can be opened up to only season ticket holders. Speaking to
some clubs, I have been told this work can be completed in around a month."
This does not include the San Siro, as it's predicted the required work
to install turnstiles cannot be completed before September, so Milan and Inter
risk playing the rest of the season - perhaps including their Champions League
games - behind closed doors.
To date only four Serie A stadiums are to the Legge Pisanu standard - the
Olimpico in Turin, Stadio Franchi in Siena, Olimpico in Rome and Barbera in
Palermo.
This suggests - although it will only be confirmed following another
meeting with police authorities on Thursday - that fans would be allowed into
three fixtures this weekend.
Those matches would be Palermo-Empoli, Roma-Parma and Torino-Reggina.
In Serie B only three games can open their doors to the crowds,
Spezia-Bologna, Lecce-Verona and Modena-Albinoleffe.
===
Today's headlines: What the papers say...
Thursday 8 February
Gazzetta dello Sport
Milan could leave Italy - The Rossoneri threaten to play their Champions
League ties abroad
The Government approves the decree against violence - on Sunday all
matches will start at 15:00, five Serie A fixtures will be behind closed doors
Giordano: This is how I was sent away by 40 ultras
Corriere dello Sport
Championships resume with 11 stadiums closed to the fans in Serie A and
Serie B
Plans to renovate the stadiums are ready - San Siro might be also banned
in the Champions League
The clubs continue their rebellion and the players complain
Tuttosport
Grygera completes his medical with Juve and will sign a contract shortly
- Gilberto Silva set to become Emerson's successor
The Government approves a strict decree and Pancalli confirms that
matches will resume over the weekend, but many Presidents do not want to play
Toro. Champarino reveals: I have a plan for the Filadelfia
===
Zola goes down under?
Former Cagliari star Gianfranco Zola is a candidate to become the new
Coach of Australian side Sydney FC.
Players applaud new laws
The Players' Association has praised the new anti-hooliganism measures
voted for by the Government.
Milan duo plan Champions move
Milan and Inter could play their home Champions League fixtures away from
the San Siro if the stadium does not meet the new regulations.
Secco regrets Mutu sale
Juventus sporting director Alessio Secco admits that he regrets selling
Adrian Mutu to Fiorentina. "Now I wouldn't let him go," he said.
Zampa slams empty stadiums
Palermo chief Maurizio Zamparini believes that playing Serie A matches in
empty stadiums would make this an irregular season.
Don backs suspension
Azzurri Coach Roberto Donadoni believes that cancelling the international
friendlies this week was the right decision.
New Delle Alpi plans approved
The FIGC has given the go-ahead to Juventus' plans to rebuild the Stadio
Delle Alpi.
===channel4.com===
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