FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has spoken out on the issue of ultras and stadium safety following recent concerns raised by Inter and Milan presidents. In a press conference for the 14th Enzo Bearzot award at the FIGC’s Paolo Rossi hall, Gravina addressed the need for increased security measures and stricter policies regarding stadium access.
Gravina began by acknowledging the upcoming meeting with Interior Minister Piantedosi: “We have been summoned by Minister Piantedosi to discuss the ultras issue, and as always, we will be present to contribute. We believe that football needs to regain greater serenity in places where the most important concept of the social dimension of our sport, which is hospitality, is emphasized.”
The FIGC president highlighted the structural deficiencies in Italian stadiums and the need to address them to reduce the gap with other European facilities. He stressed that safety is an essential condition for this improvement.
Gravina then called for the implementation of pre-emptive measures: “We believe that in places of gathering, it is fundamental to make executable a legal provision such as the pre-DASPO. All those who have been guilty of crimes and convicted of acts of violence should not be allowed to enter stadiums at all. We need to be selective.”
He also emphasized the need to make the clubs’ right of admission more effective: “We instituted this years ago. The federation will have to conduct an in-depth analysis to see if it is being applied or not. If not, the federation will intervene with sanctions against the clubs.”
These statements come in response to a letter sent by Inter and Milan presidents to the Serie A League, calling for a working group to address stadium security issues and involve all relevant institutions and clubs.
