Roma are being attacked by a multitude of official sources after their supporters insulted the mother a murdered Napoli fan.
The shooting of Ciro Esposito in last year's Coppa Italia final was recently recounted and discussed by his mother Antonella Leardi, in a book called 'Ciro Vive' ([Ciro Lives'] that was presented last week.
The supporters attacked Leardi for publishing the books and exposed a number of insulting banners last Saturday in the game against Napoli.
Roma are being attacked by a multitude of official sources after their supporters insulted the mother a murdered Napoli fan.
The shooting of Ciro Esposito in last year's Coppa Italia final was recently recounted and discussed by his mother Antonella Leardi, in a book called 'Ciro Vive' ([Ciro Lives'] that was presented last week.
The supporters attacked Leardi for publishing the books and exposed a number of insulting banners last Saturday in the game against Napoli.
As the club faces a possible stadium ban over the banners of the ultras, a variety of sources are joining their voices in criticising the supporters and, to a lesser extent, the club for its inaction.
Ansa reports an official response from Italy's Ministry of the Interior attacking the tifosi.
“The Roma supporters who showed offensive banners against the mother of Ciro Esposito in the game against Napoli represent the most barbaric and negative aspect of the football supporter culture,” said the response.
While the Ministry reportedly appreciated President James Pallotta's decision to distance himself from the supporters, they felt it was not enough.
“A real show of effort is necessary to isolate the supporters in the way that was already planned last year by the task force of [Minister Gioacchino] Alfano,” the Ministry's relation continues.
Sources within the Italian media also expressed their consternation, with the likes of Repubblica's Marco Azzi publishing an open statement on his site.
“That's some message sent by the Curva,” reads his line, sarcastically. “This is total squalor.”
In the meantime Angelo Pisani, the legal representative of the Esposito family, spoke openly against Pallotta.
“It was only when he was questioned directly that Pallotta made a formal statement, but he did not take a stance and he did not condemn the Roma banners,” he told Radio CRC.
“Something should have been done during the game itself. The footballers should have stopped playing, the referee should have stopped the game.”