Roma’s Curva Sud ultras released a long statement in which they “take responsibility” for not controlling violence.
The lengthy announcement came out just before the opening game of the season, at home to Fiorentina this evening.
Roma’s Curva Sud ultras released a long statement in which they “take responsibility” for not controlling violence.
The lengthy announcement came out just before the opening game of the season, at home to Fiorentina this evening.
It followed on from the tragic death of Napoli supporter Ciro Esposito, who was shot by banned Roma ultra Daniele De Santis while he walked towards the Stadio Olimpico for the Coppa Italia Final against Fiorentina in May.
Esposito was immediately in critical condition and died several weeks later.
The Curva Sud statement countered criticism of their actions in the wake of that incident, insisting they did attend Esposito’s funeral in a purely personal capacity and approached the family away from the spotlight, as they feared fomenting further tension.
The Curva Sud accepted the shooting “went way beyond the typical rules of engagement between sets of fans.
“We also acknowledge our banner in solidarity with Daniele De Santis was certainly wrong in the timing and methodology. We were only trying to give support to a lad who was, and still is, in a hospital bed.”
Above all, the Curva Sud accepted “our share of the responsibility” for the increasing violence in their movement.
“The Curva Sud did not handle the generational shift. We relaxed under the guidance of guys who, between the 1970s and some of the 90s, made La Sud one of the most admired, hated and respected groups in Italy, both in and out of the stadium.
“This meant we didn’t control the younger lads who got close to the Curva. We allowed self-appointed captains to act as if they were leaders, dictating behaviour that is different to what was our style.
“The lack of control and unified leadership saw the actions of some bring our entire reputation into disrepute.”
The ultras specifically condemned the ‘puncicate’ – stabbing – “of unaware 60-year-olds and students. These were absolutely not the actions of an ultra, but vile and cowardly behaviour. It was our fault for not having curbed this earlier.
“That was our main responsibility: allowing these cowardly gestures performed by young loose cannons to represent an entire Curva.”
They claimed that they “gifted the Government with the reason to enact repressive new laws” and “fell for” media baiting to create clashes between fans.
The Curva Sud complained “keyboard heroes” went on social media to make offensive posts that were quoted in the media as representing all the fans.
“Let it be clear that the position of the Roma ultras will never be read on a social network profile.”
The statement also denied that far-right or left politics was welcome in the Curva.