Spezia fans have grown increasingly incensed with the team’s poor results this season and left a pig’s head outside the club’s headquarters alongside a banner reading ‘Times up!’.
The Aquilotti suffered relegation to Serie B last season after an 18th place finish in the topflight and play-out loss to Hellas Verona on June 11. The hope was that the Ligurian side would bounce back to Serie A after a year in the second division, but things have not gone to plan.
Spezia currently sit 18th in the Serie B table after 13 games, picking up just 10 points from one win and seven draws. Coach Massimiliano Alvini, who was appointed in June, was sacked by the club on Wednesday this week and was replaced by Luca D’Angelo.
As highlighted by TMW, this has done little to placate the furious Spezia fans and they continued their protest today, hanging a banner outside the club’s headquarters that reads: “Times up!”, and leaving a pig’s head on the ground.
When the Aquilotti were held to a 2-2 draw by Ternana last weekend, loud boos and whistles rung around the Stadio Alberto Picco. Some fans approached the VIP area of the stadium to try and talk to the club’s management and were turned away.
The fury didn’t stop there. Winger Daniele Verde’s car was vandalised with paint, causing his partner to complain about the behaviour on social media.
Spezia CEO Andrea Gazzoli released a statement today in response to the latest protests.
“As I already had the opportunity to say yesterday in the press conference, these actions certainly cannot be traced back to the true fans of Spezia and they speak for themselves.
“I don’t think there is anything else to add, except that at this moment it would be decidedly important to tone down the discussion, limiting it to constructive and passionate criticism, trying to stay close to the team as our fans have always done.
“We are always available to discuss with those who love Spezia, even when it comes to strong confrontations as happened recently, but always in the name of civility and sharing ideas for the good of the club.”
Spezia have great , loyal fans , was impressed with them when i saw Lazio beat them at La Spezia , their fans cheered until way after the final whistle , despite losing and heading for B. Respect.