Roma and Lazio ultras will boycott Sunday’s Derby, but accompany the squad throughout training and to the stadium.
For several months now the hard-line fans of both Capital clubs have boycotted home games in protest at the decision to split the ‘Curve’ – ends – with barriers.
Ordered by the local authorities and Prefect Franco Gabrielli to help police enter these sections in case of trouble, both clubs have tried and failed to change these measures.
Roma and Lazio ultras will boycott Sunday’s Derby, but accompany the squad throughout training and to the stadium.
For several months now the hard-line fans of both Capital clubs have boycotted home games in protest at the decision to split the ‘Curve’ – ends – with barriers.
Ordered by the local authorities and Prefect Franco Gabrielli to help police enter these sections in case of trouble, both clubs have tried and failed to change these measures.
The Derby della Capitale is on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, but only around 35,000 fans are expected inside the Stadio Olimpico due to the boycott.
The ultras are determined to make sure the teams feel their support anyway, so will pack into today’s final training sessions.
There are also plans for huge groups to gather outside the team hotel and accompany them on the journey to the stadium.
The ultras will then gather to watch the derby on big screens in different areas of the city.
Despite the absence of ultras, there are still fears and reports that foreign hooligans will make their way to Rome for the game.
According to Il Tempo newspaper, supporters of West Ham, Real Madrid and Wisla Krakow are expected to infiltrate the groups of local fans to cause trouble.
Prefect Gabrielli has already warned on local radio that “the response to trouble will be repressive. I am not relaxed ahead of the Derby, as unfortunately some people intend to take things in a direction that is not positive.”