Hundreds of Napoli ultras gathered in central Naples on Monday afternoon to protest against the ongoing travel bans imposed on residents of the Campania region for away matches. The peaceful demonstration saw fans march through the city streets, culminating in a meeting with a municipal assessor to voice their grievances.
Peaceful March Through Naples
The protest began in Largo Berlinguer, where several hundred Napoli supporters, known as ultras, convened before commencing their march. Their destination was Palazzo San Giacomo, the seat of the Naples City Council, where they sought to engage with local authorities regarding the restrictions.
The demonstration remained orderly and peaceful throughout, with participants expressing their discontent through banners and chants. This action highlights the growing frustration among the fan base over measures that prevent them from attending their team’s away games, despite their desire to support SSC Napoli.
“Cause of Belonging, I Ask for Change of Residence”
A prominent slogan among the protesting ultras was the provocative phrase, “Causa appartenenza, chiedo cambio di residenza” (Cause of belonging, I ask for change of residence). This statement underscores the fans’ deep connection to their team and their perceived marginalization due to the travel prohibitions.
Upon reaching Palazzo San Giacomo, representatives of the ultras met with municipal assessor Edoardo Cosenza. Cosenza, a known Napoli fan and regular attendee of matches at the Maradona stadium, listened to the fans’ demands. The ultras urged the institutions to address their concerns and intervene to lift the travel bans, emphasizing the impact these restrictions have on their ability to follow their team.
Ongoing Frustration Over Travel Bans
The protest reflects a broader sentiment of frustration among football supporters in Italy regarding restrictions on away travel. Such bans are often implemented by authorities to prevent potential clashes between rival fan groups or to manage public order. However, fans argue that these measures unfairly punish law-abiding supporters and infringe upon their right to attend sporting events.
The meeting with Assessor Cosenza represents a step towards dialogue between the fan base and local government. The ultras hope that their peaceful protest and direct engagement with officials will lead to a re-evaluation of the current policies and a more equitable solution that allows them to support their team without undue restrictions.
The outcome of the ultras’ appeal to the city council remains to be seen, but their demonstration has brought renewed attention to the issue of travel bans in Italian football.
Source: https://www.napolitoday.it/sport/ssc-napoli/protesta-tifosi-napoli-trasferte-vietate.html
