The tessera del tifoso – fan passport – scheme has lasted just a few seasons in Serie A, as FIGC confirm it is being dropped in favour of a club-centric system.
The tessera del tifoso – fan passport – scheme has lasted just a few seasons in Serie A, as FIGC confirm it is being dropped in favour of a club-centric system.
The idea behind the tessera del tifoso was to issue fans with a ‘pass card’ that would then grant them entry to the stadium on matchdays. Those known to the authorities for acts of hooliganism were not given cards and so the hope was that they would be kept out of the grounds.
However, the scheme has had a mixed reception in the country, with several groups of fans protesting its implementation, whilst a December ruling found that the payment method put in place to have the card was illegal.
The Italian FA (FIGC) has now confirmed that the scheme will be dropped at the end of the season and be replaced by a different strategy.
“Next year we will introduce a loyalty card instead,” confirmed FIGC’s head Antonello Valentini, who still described the tessera del tifoso as having ‘given great results’ this year.
“This new card will streamline the process of buying tickets and in general be less restrictive than the last card.
“So, from next season, Italian football fans will undergo fewer checks, but will assume more responsibility for their behaviour in the stadiums of our country.”