Violence in Italian Football: A Call for Stronger Measures
Once again, football and fan culture have turned into madness. Moments of tension and terror were experienced at the “Alberto Pinto” stadium in Caserta during the halftime of the match between Casertana and Foggia, leading the referee to suspend the game, which later resumed.
The two sets of supporters clashed after the gate separating the section occupied by the Foggia fans and the stands of the Casertana supporters was knocked down, following a mutual exchange of smoke bombs a few minutes earlier.
Then, the Foggia fans launched a counterattack, tearing down the gate and invading the athletic track, engaging in a brawl with their opponents. A Casertana ultra was hit with a metal rod and injured by a group of Foggia fans. The intervention of the riot police, who were positioned near the area occupied by the local and visiting fans in order to calm the situation and restore public order, was decisive.
“All the troublemakers involved in this absurd guerrilla warfare must be identified and reported,” commented Francesco Emilio Borrelli, a member of the Green-Left alliance. “However, scenes like these are not new. Nothing changes because the attitude of the institutions remains the same. It seems that there is a fear of intervening and modifying the codes and expectations of the national-popular game par excellence. It is indeed a game, a sport, and it cannot be tainted by violence and barbarism. We need a real show of force and more drastic measures to counteract violence in stadiums and return to the true values of sport.”
This incident once again highlights the urgent need for concrete actions to address the issue of violence in Italian football. Identifying and punishing those responsible is just the first step. It is crucial for institutions, football clubs, and fans to work together to create a safe and respectful environment in stadiums. This can be achieved through stricter regulations, increased security measures, and educational campaigns aimed at promoting sportsmanship and fair play.
Football has always been a source of passion and unity for Italians, but it is essential to ensure that this passion is channeled in a positive way. By taking strong and decisive action, we can restore the true essence of the beautiful game and make Italian football a model of fair competition and respect for all.
