Italy show Uefa how it’s done

The Italian Football Federation has acted quickly and dramatically to the trouble that flared in Bulgaria during their game at the weekend.

A section of the travelling Italian supporters threw bottles, made facist salutes and shouted racist chants during the goalless draw in Sofia.

Three Italian fans were also arrested after burning a Bulgarian flag.

The Italian Football Federation have responded by saying they will not now be taking up their allocation of tickets for away fixtures for an indefinite period.

President Giancarlo Abete said:

“Until we have certainties and we are able to verify certain things, we will not ask for any tickets for Italy’s away games. I feel great bitterness and pain for what has happened. Everyone knows the process to isolate these individuals is long but this is a dark episode. I believe with all the technological means available we can now identify those individuals. I don’t believe they are fans but individuals who are prone to delinquent behaviour with the intention of damaging the image of our nation. But we have all of their names and we will punish them.”

What a great reaction this is. If only Uefa could take such effective action rather than issuing ludicrously small fines. I know that this punishes the majority for the actions of a minority, but unless drastic action is taken, this type of behaviour will continue to blight the game.

(Source – The Sun)