Napoli - Genoa to be played behind closed doors

By: Joe | September 27th, 2007

This Sunday was set to mark a wonderful reunion between Genoa and Napoli fans at the Stadio San Paolo. The two fan bases have formed a great friendship and ever since the dramatic last day of the season last year (when both sides earned automatic promotion), they’ve pointed to Sunday’s encounter as a chance to reunite under the glorious sunshine of Serie A.

All the air went out of Napoli this afternoon as the FIGC has ruled the match on Sunday be played behind closed doors. We’ve been through this all last year with the tragedy in Catania. Clubs could no longer ask and receive a temporary waiver to bypass the security measures each stadium was expected to have. The result was that many clubs played behind closed doors for much of the ‘ritorno’ portion of last year’s season. San Paolo was closed for three or four matches before being open to just season ticket holders and then finally opening up to all fans by the end of the season. The matches were dire and surreal. While there was a novelty aspect to hearing coaches shout instructions from the sidelines, the lack of songs and crowd roar made the matches difficult to watch.

Calcio matches in Italy are very different than MLS matches in the U.S. or even football matches in other parts of the world. The flares going off in team colors, the Ultras in the Curva, the big flags waving and the crude banners are all part of the experience. It’s not for the faint of heart and not suited for the “soccer mom” mentality so prevalent in the United States.

The sentence came down today due to fan behavior last night at the Livorno match. Fireworks and bottles were hurtled onto the pitch from fans. While the match wasn’t interrupted because of what was thrown the 4th official is said to have been hit with a bottle. Additionally, there was a banner hanging in the Curva (which was subsequently taken down) with the words “Livorno merda” on it. Well, if the shoe fits?

It’s no use trying to defend the actions of either the fans or of the FIGC. Napoletani’s are capable of the vilest and crudest gestures and then turning around and giving you the shirt off their backs and inviting you in for an espresso and some struffoli. All I’ll say is I don’t believe the same sentence would be handed down if this were Juventus. Of course, would Juve players notice if their fans didn’t show up to support them?

Update: Details are now starting to come in about the events which led to decision to play the Genoa match behind closed doors. In the 35th minute of the second half four bottles were thrown on the pitch including a half empty yogurt bottle (they sell yogurt in bottles?) which struck one of the two linesmen, Francesco De Luca…in the knee.

At the end of the match, De Luca noticed he had a bruise on his knee. So exactly how hard do you need to throw a half-empty bottle of yogurt in order to cause a bruise? If you’ve ever been to or seen San Paolo, you know the stands are very far away from the action. That is one strong-armed Napoletano.

The other egregious offensives were the “offensive” banner which read “Livorno merde.” The banner was quickly removed by the 7th minute of the first half and another banner was visible in Curva A aimed at Hellas Verona and their bastardi gialloblu brigate. I mean it’s always a good time to offend Verona isn’t it? Apparently the FIGC doesn’t think so.

Also, the Inter Milan match at the San Siro is being rated a “level 4” security risk. It’s unlikely Napoli fans will be allowed to enter the stadium. On the plus side, this is the first Napoli match I can think of since…well since forever where a Napoli game will be broadcast in English. Fox Soccer Channel is set to show the match live in the States on October 6 (my 40th birthday!).

Napoli and Genoa fans walking to the match before last year’s final Serie B match