ROME - Sixteen AS Roma fans have been hit with stadium bans for performing fascist salutes and wearing clothing glorifying Nazism. The Italian state police announced the measures on Wednesday, relating to the incident in the Curva Sud section during the 2-1 win over Atalanta on September 5.
The bans, applied under Italy's 1993 Mancino Law against racial discrimination and incitement to hatred, range from one to five years. Four of the sixteen must also report to police stations before, during, and after Roma matches to prove they are not at the stadium.
The facts and the sanctions
The police stated that "the individuals, aged between 19 and 42, were seen in a group performing a so-called Roman salute". Some wore tops with the phrase 'uber alles', a German expression police described as a well-known Nazi reference. The length of the sanctions was linked to the fans' previous records.
"Several of those sanctioned having previously been identified 'in possession of weapons and offensive objects, threats, damage, brawling, and smuggling'", police added. One fan, previously banned in 2022, received the longest five-year prohibition. The bans apply to all Italian stadiums, to Roma matches abroad, and to Italian national team fixtures outside Italy.
The sporting context
The judicial matter comes at a time of strong sporting success for the Giallorossi, who sit top of Serie A with 12 points from four wins. Daniele De Rossi's side just beat Torino 2-0 away and now prepare for a top-of-the-table clash against Inter, who are second, scheduled for Thursday, September 19 at the Olimpico.
Their commanding league position, with 12 goals scored and only one conceded, does not obscure the responsibilities of support. The Curva Sud incident reignites focus on the issue of far-right extremism within a section of the Roma fanbase, as the club aims to maintain its lead at the top of the standings.
This story first appeared at The Athletic
