Former Italy Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, who formulised the original ‘fan passport’ scheme, is unhappy that FIGC is replacing it after just a few seasons.
In his previous position in government, Maroni oversaw the inception and implementation of the tessera del tifoso system for Italian football fans, whereby supporters would be issued with an identity card so as to buy tickets and enter stadiums.
Former Italy Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, who formulised the original ‘fan passport’ scheme, is unhappy that FIGC is replacing it after just a few seasons.
In his previous position in government, Maroni oversaw the inception and implementation of the tessera del tifoso system for Italian football fans, whereby supporters would be issued with an identity card so as to buy tickets and enter stadiums.
The idea was to remove the presence of hooligans in Italy’s grounds, but it has been met with protests by a number of supporter groups, whilst a court ruling in late 2011 ruled its payment system was in fact illegal.
Italian FA (FIGC) chief Antonello Valentini yesterday announced that the scheme is going to be dropped at the end of 2011-12, in favour of a new club-focused strategy, something that Maroni is uneasy about.
“This is not good news for the sport,” he declared on Tuesday.
“They have won, the ultras from teams like Roma, who have always been against it.
“I notice that the current FIGC director [Valentini] has announced that there will be a change of course and there will be fewer checks and this is not ‘good news’.”