Calcio Returns But With Different Rules

After the tragic death of Chief Inspector Raciti in Catania, Sicily, the whole of Italian football shut down to evaluate their options. His death has created much needed improvements; however, some fans will suffer until the whole plan can be implemented. As of this writing, only six stadia meet the stringent "Pisanu Laws" that were issued, but only implemented by a few arenas, in 2005. Which means that the majority (with capacities over 10,000) will not have fans in the stands this weekend. Smaller stadia, such as the Serie A facility in Siena, conform to the new laws because it is a very small stadium. Most Serie A arenas have sizeable capacities. In the Serie B, Bologna, Bresica, Genoa, Juventus, and Napoli play in larger (Serie A type). For example, Saturday's game (10 February) in Vicenza, which tied Juventus, 2-2, had a listed attendance of 9,999.

Here are the current Serie A stadia that meet the Pisanu Laws:

• Cagliari: Stadio Sant'Elia
  
• Genoa: Stadio Luigi Ferraris
  
• Palermo: Stadio Renzo Barbera
  
• Roma: Stadio Olimpico
  
• Siena: Stadio Artemio Franchi
  
• Torino: Stadio Grande Torino
  

AC Milan is working around the clock to install 28 turnstiles for their match this Sunday with Livorno. Adriano Galliani, their VP, had the following comments:

“It’s not an issue of being optimistic or pessimistic, as with 28 turnstiles manned for personal ticket checks, I think we’ll be alright,” commented the Milan vice-President. “We’re not asking for a full clean bill of health from the Government, but just for the season ticket holders to be able to get what they paid to see. I hope we can do this, because the city of Milan doesn’t deserve such a slap in the face.” (1)

Reference

(1) San Siro Race Against Time. Football Italia, 09 February 2007.