Italy’s government has unveiled sdtrict new security measures for the country’s football stadia in the wake of a policeman’s death during a riot at a Serie A match between Catania and Palermo on Friday.
The measures will become law if approved at a meeting of the Italian cabinet on Wednesday and could lead to matches being played behind closed-doors.
The government is proposing a ban on the block sale of tickets to away fans to avoid large groups of visiting supporters organising trips to away fixtures.
Other measures include a toughening-up of the system of banning orders currently used against violent fans. Fans can now be banned from stadiums without being found guilty of any offence. They can also be used against under-18s. Those subject to stadium bans must undertake “socially useful” work during the hours when matches are being played.
The police will be given the powers to can make football violence-related arrests without a warrant up to 48 hours after a crime has been committed – extending the current limit by 12 hours.
The government also wants to implement a ban on any financial or working relationship between clubs and fan associations.
Authorities will also demand clubs conform to the existing Pisanu Law, which was introduced last year. Most Italian clubs, however, do not own their stadiums and have refused to implement the law, arguing that the city councils who own the venues should pay for the work.
The main points of the Pisanu law are: numbered seating, electronic turnstiles, close-circuit TV surveillance inside and outside the stadium, transparent barriers that separate different sectors of the stadium, a dedicated area for the police to oversee security.
