Atalanta patron Ivan Ruggeri slammed other clubs for not following him in the condemnation of violent Ultras, while those arrested for the rioting are released.
After a police officer’s stray bullet killed Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri in a motorway service station on Sunday morning, groups of supporters around Italy reacted violently with rioting in Rome, Milan and Bergamo.
So far only four people have been arrested for the Rome incidents, where at least 200 hooligans laid siege to a police station.
Just two of them, 21-year-old Claudio Gugliotti and 27-year-old Saverio Candamano, have now been charged with “conduct becoming terrorism” along with devastation, violence, attacking a public official and possession of dangerous weapons, but they have denied all the charges.
“We don’t understand the terrorism charge, as there is no political or ideological link with what happened,” said lawyer Eugenio Salvatore Daidone.
All of the eight Ultras arrested in Milan on Sunday have now been released without charge. Only one is to be punished with a ban from the stadiums.
“The police arrested people randomly during the protest marches on Sunday and this is the result,” noted the lawyer.
Meanwhile, Atalanta are furious with the rest of Serie A and B for not following their example. President Ruggeri and the entire squad released statements distancing themselves from the violent Ultras and insisting they are not welcome in the stadium.
“I admire my players for following my lead, but nobody else has called me,” explained Ruggeri on Sky Italia television.
“I have to say I am astonished by this. I didn’t expect messages of solidarity, but at least some kind of reaction from everyone. All must do their duty.
“This is the time to say enough and if we don’t do it now, it means we are aware of everything that is happening and accept it.
“I cannot allow it to go on and as far as I am concerned if things don’t change I am prepared to close down football in Bergamo. I am very disappointed in the authorities so far and don’t know whether to trust them.”
