The match between bitter rivals Lecce and Bari scheduled for January 6 will be played behind closed doorsby order of the government of Lecce. The Derby della Puglia is not nearly as well known as others in Italy but the fervor associated with the contest, and at times the violence, rivals any other on the peninsula. A committee for public order and security was convenedin Lecce and ultimately made the decision to ban fans from the Stadio Via del Mare.
Historically, Italians have turned to outsourcing for security.
I am all for keeping fans safe (quite a stand to take, I know). If there was an overwhelming agreement that this safety could not be guaranteed, then the right decision was made.
My only question is, if they could identify potential violence as an issue a full week before the match, why couldn’t they take the necessary measures to increase security in that time?
Lecce President Pietrandrea Semeraro had expressed concerns recently over fan security, especially after the foolish decision was made to allocate the entire southern curve of the stadium to Bari supporters. Why this was ever agreed to is mind-boggling considering the incidents that have occurred during this match in the recent past.
For a geographic perspective on this local rivalry, Lecce is right on the heel of Italy while Bari is situated on what would be the Achilles tendon. The cities’ squads are the most notable and successful in the region of Apulia.
Amateur sketch
The last meeting between the two sides was played on May 17, 2008 while they were both in Serie B (suck it, bwin). That match, which Lecce won 2-1, saw Bari ultras invade the pitch, destroy bathroom facilities, and bring loads of hazardous material into the stadium. It even prompted a verbal row between politicians as Undersecretary of the Interior Alfredo Mantovano (who is from Lecce) offended the mayor of Bari by calling the Biancorossi supporters “barbarians”.
Tensions have been rising ever since Lecce was promoted to Serie A this term, ensuring that the rivalry would be renewed. Lecce’s Malian defender Souleymane Diamoutene was even attacked by his own fans recently during a training session due to his short stint with Bari.
Again, the safety of fans who pay good money and bring their families to football matches should be of paramount concern. But I can’t help but feel that simply barring anyone from the stadium is a defeatist, somewhat embarrassing move which further reinforces negative images of the game in Italy. Semeraro claims that the committee made it’s decision based on what experience had taught them. Shouldn’t experience have taught them to beef up security?
Capitulating like this just shows that local Italian governments and team administrations can still be held hostage by ultras. If Serie A (and Italian football in general) wants to continue to rehabilitate its image it will need to prove it can keep fans safe by actually keeping fans safe at the stadium. I am by no means a security expert but surely additional guard details could be brought in, police presence increased, and more extensive camera systems put in place. Something. Anything. There have already been measures taken to bar known ultras from matches with fan card systems. These have had some success but they absolutely must be adhered to more strictly.
It’s the first time these teams have met in Serie A in a decade. Lecce and Bari are the bottom two sides in the table and matches between desperate teams are often the most fun to watch. The mixture of the rivalry and the fight to stave of relegation could produce a stunning result on the pitch which could advertise the passion and toughness of Italian football. Instead, all that will be advertised is yet another case of Italian ineptitude.
**UPDATE** Do the Italian authorities read UF? Tuttosport is reporting that Minister of the Interior Roberto Maroni has stepped in and the decision to ban fans from the derby will be reviewed by a joint committee consisting of security officials from both Bari and Lecce. Mayor of Lecce Paolo Perrone claims that if a different decision is made it will not be simply for football or Apulia to save face, but only to show that the institutions involved can still be a “bulwark” against violence.
There is every possibility that the match will still be played behind closed doors, but I feel strongly these renewed efforts to find an alternative solution are a proactive step in the right direction.
Cheap Pradajames.
@PJ – If that’s supposed to be an oxymoron, let’s go out for some drinks!
Orr – I’m guessing it was purely economics, and it was better financially to not let fans in rather than increase security. Also given that the increase in security most likely wouldn’t prevent some violence (this is southern Italy), it was probably an easier decision than not.
@Berg – I get that, and it’s a smaller, less modern stadium which could increase the trouble. If they firmly believed they couldn’t keep people safe then it’s absolutely the right decision. But are they going to do this every time Lecce and Bari play? They meet again in the 2nd to last game of the year. Plus, both look likely to be relegated so chances are they clash twice next year as well. I guess maybe it just wasn’t reported but I’d like to at least see an indication that alternatives are being sought.