Florence Mayor Dario Nardella is in talks with the Lega Serie A President and Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi pushing to call off tonight’s game between Fiorentina and Juventus.
Storm Ciaran hit several towns around Florence earlier this week, causing floods and seven deaths. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and rescuers have been working in the area around Florence for days to help those affected by the storm.
Fiorentina ultras have said they won’t attend tonight’s game between Fiorentina and Juventus at the Stadio Franchi out of respect for the victims and to help them at this difficult time.
“We ask what is the point in using hundreds of men to police a football match while there is a population mourning its dead and still struggling badly,” they said in a statement on Saturday.
Florence’s Mayor Nardella has taken position as well, asking Lega Serie A and Interior Minister Piantedosi to call off the game.
“I’ve been on the phone with the Lega Serie A President since yesterday, speaking openly about the opportunity of postponing tonight’s game between Fiorentina and Juventus because such a decision is only up to the Lega,” Nardella wrote on Facebook.
“I’ve spoken about it with the Minister Piantedosi. I hope common sense prevails and, in the meantime, I continue working endlessly with the Civil Protection, the Mayors and the volunteers to help the families hit by the flood.”
Juventus arrived in Florence on Saturday evening. Tonight’s game at the Stadio Franchi will kick off at 19:45 GMT unless Lega Serie A decides otherwise.
A minute of silence has been held ahead of the weekend’s game in Serie A and Serie B to honour the seven people who are confirmed to have died in the floods.
Call them the game off it’s only a game of football for gods sake