ITALIAN IDENTITY CARDS

[Blue Mastiff]

I was one of those people but unlike most of the others, I have been left seriously disillusioned by football over the past few days. I’m specifically talking about Italian football and the ramifications of the tessera del tifoso. I have followed the concept of the tessera del tifoso for several months now and I have never liked the idea at any stage. Now that it has finally been introduced, I decided to ask a Rome-based Lazio fan a few questions regarding the draconian new measure being implemented and this allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the tessera. I’d like to thank Lucky Strike for his assistance; Laziofever readers may be familiar with his excellent posts.

For those who don’t follow the off pitch stuff as closely as what takes place on it, the Italian interior minister Maroni (of the Lega Nord party) has championed the introduction of the “tessera del tifoso”, an identity card for football fans. To purchase a season ticket, one must now also sign up for a tessera. To buy tickets to away games, a tessera is a required document. For those of us who travel to Italy, away games are no longer an option. Likewise, home games considered “at risk”, which usually have been games against the likes of Napoli, will also be off limits to those without a tessera.

How does one get a tessera? Well, each club has its own version. Lazio’s is called the “millenovecento”. It is a card on the Mastercard network, produced by PostePay, a division of Poste Italiane, the largest postal service operating in Italy, which is government run and floated on the stock market. In addition to being able to purchase match tickets to any game, the holder of a tessera will be eligible for certain discounts on official merchandise and even non-football related things such as banking. To apply for the card, you need three small passport sized photographs and to complete an application form. Once submitted, the police will review the application and within 1-2 weeks the card will be issued. After this, the tessera holder is free to purchase their season ticket. The card is valid for 5 years and costs 15 euro, although free to existing season ticket holders.

The effect it will have is largely hard to determine at this stage. Certainly, the Lazio ultras will not apply for the tessera. Nor will the Catania and Napoli (see pic above) ultras. They will more than likely be joined by most of the hardcore right across the peninsula. They see it is a provocation and a restriction on their own freedom and will simply protest against it by refusing to accept it. Currently, only the ultras of the Milanese clubs have accepted the tessera, a move which has attracted much disgust from fans right across Italy. Roma too, have managed to sell 15,000 tessere. I’m not sure if these have been bought by ultras though, or just casual fans.

It goes without saying that, among football fans, the tessera is an unpopular measure. Identity cards generally don’t gather a whole lot of support from people. Protests have been held and they had a significant effect, as the introduction of the tessera was delayed by six-months. Ultimately though, it will now be a required document and the ultras of Lazio have decided to leave the stadium. They have been followed by the fans of Catania. Over the coming weeks, we will be able to gather the reactions of the different sets of fans right across Italy. Certainly, in contrast, the fans of Inter and Roma have accepted the tessera. Other Italian fans, particularly the ultras, look down on this. To them, the tessera is a tool to restrict freedom and to eradict their tradition and style of support from the game of football.

Looking at the reactions of Lazio ultras in particular a bit closer, we see that things are not looking good for a vibrant Curva Nord. Banda Noantri, who have led the Curva since the Siena match last season will not even buy match tickets where allowed. They see the ideals of football as corrupted, as it is no longer the game of old. In other words, they feel that commercial interests combined with restrictive control over fans in an attempt to quash the ultras culture is ruining football. They have a strong case. The tessera is clearly being promoted by commercialism, as we can see by all the “benefits” of signing up for a tessera, while the big pay-TV companies have been controlling football for well over a decade now. It is no secret that the authorities have long harboured a desire to bring about an end to the ultras movement. The former Irriducibili leaders Toffolo and Paolo Arciveri (who were imprisoned for quite some time without a trial) believe that the fans should refuse the tessera but still buy match tickets at a greater expense and attend matches where possible.

The tessera does nothing to stop any potential violence. It prevents fans from purchasing tickets in the away sector of a ground, but it doesn’t prevent anyone travelling to another city with the intention of violent conflict. The vast majority of ultras aren’t violent anyway, and the tessera will hardly discourage those who want to go and look for trouble to do so. All that is likely, is a dramatic decrease in the attendance at matches. The authorities will hope for a drastic increase in the number of casual fans who attend games, as only that would vindicate their claims that the violent ultras intimidate them from going to the football.

If history is any indication, without Curva Nord, Lazio attendances will be well under 10,000 each week. At matches seen as unimportant, such as the meaningless European tie with Levski, a partially full Curva was the entire attendance. Similarly, when the curva protested against the Lotito management against Fiorentina, only about 5000 of the “ordinary” fans turned up to watch their side play a night game against high profile opponents. Many smaller provincial sides, particularly those playing in the lower leagues would barely have 100 fans at matches if it weren’t for their ultras: loyal, parochial and passionate about their hometown. To me, the ultras are the heart and soul of Italian football. It is this heart and soul that is being eradicated by the tessera, not the violent minority.

[Kitchimo]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

[Steelinho]

I'm ultra-awesome.

[Nice One Cyril]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

[Bomber]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

Yes, I hear they are getting softer in North London.

[Nice One Cyril]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

Yes, I hear they are getting softer in North London.

We're getting older, that's the problem.

[ozzie owl]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

Sadly the violent minority element ruins it for the majority.

[Loppermann]

We're getting older, that's the problem.

crocheted blankets: well 'ard

[BAGGIO 15]

I think in time this will be a positive thing for Italian Football.

[Victoria's Secret]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

With Arsene around you do.

[SpursOnTheRise]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

With Arsene around you do.

[BrickTop]

You can be 'ultra' without being violent, disrespectful, or criminal.

I'm not Italian so, is that a true statement? Are they just a uncontrolled mob? You would assume that, if you've nothing to hide you wouldn't worry about being identified.

All I can say is, attending English games at most levels is now much better than it was 20 years ago. Even Spurs v Arsenal derbies are well behaved and you don't worry about taking the kids any more.

My old boy said he used to stop going to games because they used to throw darts around...

[Blue Mastiff]

apples with razor blades

and

oranges with nails

pack an even better punch!

[Jay Walking]

So the issues is that if you cause violence, you can be identified? Is that what "supporters" are concerned about?

[takeonthekeeper]

Really Stupid.... How Do they determine who are the "Ultras" anyway?

[Nice One Cyril]

Really Stupid.... How Do they determine who are the "Ultras" anyway?

The way I read the OP, it will apply to everyone who wants to buy a ticket.

No problem with fanatical support, but anything that gets rid of the peanuts that just want to fight must surely be a good thing.

[takeonthekeeper]

but anything that gets rid of the peanuts that just want to fight must surely be a good thing.

+1

[Translator]

Personally the violence is talked up a lot more than what is reality, they have to so they can justify the move. Just another fear campaign.

If you think fans in the stadium match their ticket location, you're mistaken. Once your in the curva you stand where you find room. Admittedly the regulars have their usual location but it would be their place regardless where they brought their ticket.

What their issue is with the identity card is probably no different to the issue of society as a whole. The sterilisation of any expression and an individual right to be free to come and go as they like without being hassled by a big brother set up and the increase commercialism of life. If anyone thinks this is a good idea, let me know what you think of it when you fly over and try to buy a ticket only to be told you can't because you don't live in the city, or haven't got the right paperwork, I've had the hassle in the past, it's almost on par with having to get a visa to watch a match!

The Ultras despise pay TV and the media and rightly so, pay TV & the media are the cause of what's wrong with the game, too much money, impacting player loyalties, money hungry agents, trash journalism to sell a few extra papers and the ads that go with it etc all taking the emphasise off the game itself.

True supporters have always been there, why should the game move from the supporters to solely the world of financial corporations or tossers with too much money that just need a new toy. Isn't there enough in the world that they dominate and control, can't they at least leave football, the game of the working class/ common people etc. alone?

Unfortunately it will be promoted, advertised etc and enough sheep will come in and fill the void. Ticket prices will then be raised year on year and the game lost of it's passion and supporters will then be treated no more than a consumer.

How sad to see a season ticket coming with fringe benefits like discount banking.

[Translator]

Really Stupid.... How Do they determine who are the "Ultras" anyway?

For me the life of an Ultra means supporting your club in the extreme. Travel the country/ continent supporting them and making your presence felt by using the mass weight of supporters to try an intimidate the opposition and support you own, doing as much as you can to get the result go in your favour. How well they achieve that is what they are ranked by. Getting on a train, bus or car convey to travel to another city (sometimes one of your most hated rivals) in numbers, making their presence known, out performing the home supporters and getting back home without any major dramas is their primary objective.

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the stadium but within the curva. For me they are the heart and soul of the club. If a player/ president doesn't perform or warrant the shirt they'll know about it pretty quickly, just as quickly as they are worshipped for performing well.

For me they are the club, presidents and players come and go but the ultras are always there.

The biggest impression the curva left on me is just how much respect they command from the players. On victory laps the players will always spend more time in front of the curva than they do in any other section of the stadium, including the president/ high end area. You can almost compare it to the curva being the Emperor in ancient Roman days within the colosseum.

The Curva provide all the atmosphere at the game, nothing gets chanted to any decent levels until the curva have decided it's what they want to chant. Other sections may start something but it has no chance of taking off until the curva decide. I couldn't imagine going to a Serie A game without them.

[Jay Walking]

Personally the violence is talked up a lot more than what is reality, they have to so they can justify the move. Just another fear campaign.

If you think fans in the stadium match their ticket location, you're mistaken. Once your in the curva you stand where you find room. Admittedly the regulars have their usual location but it would be their place regardless where they brought their ticket.

What their issue is with the identity card is probably no different to the issue of society as a whole. The sterilisation of any expression and an individual right to be free to come and go as they like without being hassled by a big brother set up and the increase commercialism of life. If anyone thinks this is a good idea, let me know what you think of it when you fly over and try to buy a ticket only to be told you can't because you don't live in the city, or haven't got the right paperwork, I've had the hassle in the past, it's almost on par with having to get a visa to watch a match!

The Ultras despise pay TV and the media and rightly so, pay TV & the media are the cause of what's wrong with the game, too much money, impacting player loyalties, money hungry agents, trash journalism to sell a few extra papers and the ads that go with it etc all taking the emphasise off the game itself.

True supporters have always been there, why should the game move from the supporters to solely the world of financial corporations or tossers with too much money that just need a new toy. Isn't there enough in the world that they dominate and control, can't they at least leave football, the game of the working class/ common people etc. alone?

Unfortunately it will be promoted, advertised etc and enough sheep will come in and fill the void. Ticket prices will then be raised year on year and the game lost of it's passion and supporters will then be treated no more than a consumer.

How sad to see a season ticket coming with fringe benefits like discount banking.

Now that is a great way to explain why they would oppose the ID cards or what they are trying to do by the ID cards.

Hard to disagree with much of what you have said.

[BAGGIO 15]

Personally the violence is talked up a lot more than what is reality, they have to so they can justify the move. Just another fear campaign.

If you think fans in the stadium match their ticket location, you're mistaken. Once your in the curva you stand where you find room. Admittedly the regulars have their usual location but it would be their place regardless where they brought their ticket.

What their issue is with the identity card is probably no different to the issue of society as a whole. The sterilisation of any expression and an individual right to be free to come and go as they like without being hassled by a big brother set up and the increase commercialism of life. If anyone thinks this is a good idea, let me know what you think of it when you fly over and try to buy a ticket only to be told you can't because you don't live in the city, or haven't got the right paperwork, I've had the hassle in the past, it's almost on par with having to get a visa to watch a match!

The Ultras despise pay TV and the media and rightly so, pay TV & the media are the cause of what's wrong with the game, too much money, impacting player loyalties, money hungry agents, trash journalism to sell a few extra papers and the ads that go with it etc all taking the emphasise off the game itself.

True supporters have always been there, why should the game move from the supporters to solely the world of financial corporations or tossers with too much money that just need a new toy. Isn't there enough in the world that they dominate and control, can't they at least leave football, the game of the working class/ common people etc. alone?

Unfortunately it will be promoted, advertised etc and enough sheep will come in and fill the void. Ticket prices will then be raised year on year and the game lost of it's passion and supporters will then be treated no more than a consumer.

How sad to see a season ticket coming with fringe benefits like discount banking.

The English made it work for them, slightly different tactics but the same goal.