© EuroFootball.com
Italian clubs whose stadiums do not meet safety standards will likely be forced to play matches without spectators, and the country's championships could be extended already next weekend. This became clear on Monday after a meeting between the country's government and football officials.
"We will only allow the opening of stadiums that meet safety requirements. Those that do not will remain closed," said Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato.
Currently, only four stadiums meet the safety requirements - Milan's "San Siro," Palermo's "Renzo Barbera," and the Olympic stadiums in Rome and Turin. However, their number could increase to ten if away team fans were not allowed to attend matches.
All Italian football matches were suspended indefinitely on Friday after a police officer's death in riots following a match in Catania. On Monday, hundreds of people in the city accompanied inspector Filippo Raciti, whose coffin was draped with an Italian flag, on his final journey. The fallen officer was also honored with a minute of silence throughout the country.
Later that same evening in Rome, government officials gathered to discuss the situation and measures to stop the outbreak of violence.
According to G. Amato, rules should be created that would no longer allow overzealous fans at matches in other stadiums to buy tickets in bulk. In addition, the police may be granted the right to make football-related arrests without a warrant within 48 hours after the event, and bans on attending stadium matches for those convicted of violence in competitions could also be imposed on minors.
Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri admitted at the meeting that there is a possibility of drafting new laws that would separate any relationship between football clubs and ultra groups.
Meanwhile, Luca Pancalli, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), did not reveal when the championships could resume, but hinted that it could happen as soon as next weekend: "I will make a decision on Wednesday after the meeting, but the technical possibilities to play at the end of this week are there."
"I am optimistic that all the people involved in football will be mature enough to accept the new rules and collaborate on building the future of Italian football. I believe that today we can open a new chapter," said L. Pancalli.
