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In order to begin to address a complex and entrenched problem such as football hooliganism the Italian authorities must first appreciate that there is no overnight solution.
In the quick fix and headline grabbing world we now exist in the planned and most effective course of action is often overlooked for media and public appeasement.
The closing of stadiums to fans and the cancellation of matches though are not things that fall into this category as long as the rest of a targeted programme is undertaken. These actions are far more than their British counterparts responded with in the eighties to a similar problem so the Italians should be initially applauded for this stance.
The battle is now set to resolve the key issues, namely the state of the stadiums, the treatment of the average fan and the arresting of control away from the hooligan Ultras who pollute the stands with menace and aggression.
In Italy, most stadiums are owned by the municipalities and the clubs often have no control on how they are used. Consequently there is very little incentive to improve the infrastructure and facilities within them.
After the tragedies of Hysel, Bradford and Hillsborough the English FA and the Government were forced to address the issue of stadium safety and the Premiership became a place of all seat stadiums as a result. Whilst many complain that atmospheres are poorer for it there is no denying that it is easier to police such environments on match days.
Stadiums in Italy were last updated for the World Cup in 1990 so missed out on all the lessons learned from the English experience. They are now in need of a complete overall and it is more than just about making them just safe places to go. It is also about making them suitable for fans of all ages to enjoy with facilities to match, otherwise only the hardcore fans will be attracted. Serie A funding is so linked to the huge television revenue they receive that the clubs are often accused of neglecting the fans in the stadium because they do not need the money from them as much as in other countries.
However, the most pressing problem that needs to be faced is the influence of the ‘Ultras’ and their involvement in regular incidents of disruption and violence. Large parts of the stadiums are inaccessible to the police, some consider them lawless. If the police attempt to go in it would be seen as an act of aggression and the thuggish fans respond accordingly.
Often demonstrations that take place in the ‘curva’ have nothing to do with the match in question but are political and social statements such as the advocating of legalising cannabis at the Bologna game in 2005.
The police prepare themselves for the worst case scenario and arrive in full riot gear in enormous numbers. There is no stewarding as you would find in England and the authorities hope the game will pass off without incident as much, in hope, as anything else.
Legislation played a key part in removing the hardcore hooligan element in England. The public Disorder Act 1986, Footballers Spectators Act 1989 and the Football Disorder Act 2000 all went some way to reduce the influence of known hooligans at matches both home and abroad. Further to this banning of troublemakers additional laws including the selective bans of alcohol at ‘high risk’ games, legislation outlawing racist comments and new laws against ticket touting became regular strategies.
The police also became less confrontational in their tactics using a more subtle approach with greater use of surveillance cameras to spot individuals and the infiltration of known organisations to gather intelligence. These covert operations to weed out the leaders were supplemented by stewarding within the grounds on match days to create a calmer environment.
Most clubs in England during the eighties had their own ‘ultras’ such as the Inter-City Firm at West Ham or the Headhunters at Chelsea, but they were never so closely linked with the club as the Italians. It is this link that will be the hardest to break. They try to influence the way their club is run and think they have the power to do so, including what players are bought and sold.
With the correct legislation, the backing of the club officials, the financial input to improve stadiums and the desire and commitment from the police and the government it is possible to rid the game of this problem. But it will take time and although the authorities have made an encouraging start they have been in similar situations before only to let it drift back to the status quo. It is a matter of resolve and only time will tell who comes out on top.
Our game’s shame II
Patrick Cummings in England
