October 30, 2022
The brief from today:
Inter ultras impose their influence
News is filtering out from the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Sampdoria this weekend that depicts a worrisome security issue. Within Inter’s home stadium, the San Siro, the northern end, or Curva Nord, is where the hardcore ultra fans are seated. As the first half of the match against Sampdoria progressed, news filtered through the Curva Nord that one of the leaders of the various ultra groups, Vittorio Boiocchi, was shot and killed at his house. Boiocchi was an ex-convict with a checkered past, but the ultras, in an effort to honor their comrade, began to clear out the stands at halftime, including the removal of flags and banners. Following this, they escalated matters and commenced the forced removal of non-ultra fans from their paid seats in the area. As if this wasn’t problematic enough, accounts from fans stated that the ultras were being helped by stewards and police in the stadium. Many supporters complained that despite possessing a ticket they paid for, they were blocked from getting to their seats and were unable to continue watching the match. The Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, is now involved following complaints made to him on social media, and his response was a promise to “look into it”. Ultra influence and power within clubs in Italy is nothing new, but having the security personnel, who are meant to ensure safety, assist them with their personal agenda is certainly a bridge too far.
The cleared out Curva Nord at the San Siro during Inter vs. Sampdoria was glaring
Napoli unveil new Maradona statue
Napoli are currently one of the in form sides in Europe after easily qualifying from a Champions League group including Liverpool and Ajax. They also currently rank first in Serie A after a blistering 12 consecutive wins in the league—a new record. The Neapolitans are gradually looking like the main contenders for the Scudetto this season after their early season performances, and the last time they started a campaign this well was when Argentine legend Diego Maradona played for them. Maradona would have turned 62 today, and in commemoration of that, the team unveiled a new statue in his likeness. This is latest in a list of tributes the former club icon has received since his passing in 2020 including: the renaming of the home stadium to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the jerseys with his face on them, and of course the first statue that was erected within the stadium after his untimely death. Prior to the match against Sassuolo this weekend, an unveiling took place of the new statue, which has received many positive reviews—especially for the golden left foot that highlights Maradona’s elite skill. The 1986 World Cup winner moved to Napoli in 1984, and would play for them 259 times through 1991 scoring 115 goals, a feat that contributed to Napoli winning their first ever Serie A title in 1987. A second league trophy, as well as a UEFA Cup, would forever cement Maradona’s status as a club legend, hence the continuous tributes from Napoli.
The new Maradona statue (above) unveiled by Napoli