To clean up stadiums you don't need to turn them into theaters

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"Without ultras, San Siro is very sad." Every now and then, even Minister Salvini gets it right. San Siro without flags, banners, and chants is worse than the famous battleship beloved by Fantozzi. San Siro, like any other stadium, of course. Boca's Bombonera, Dortmund's yellow wall, the never walk alone, and the Kop at Anfield are a spectacle in themselves. The stadium transformed into a theater is unsightly. And I bet not even Allegri or Tare would want it. They're counting on a twelfth man on the pitch, even willing to hear boos if things don't work out. AC Milan doesn't want a stadium transformed into a theater . Neither does the Police Headquarters, although they have issued specific orders to clear the stands of any traffic that has little to do with fan support.

It all stems from the Doppia Curva investigation, which has already struck hard with its first-instance rulings, leading to the compilation of a list of unwelcome ultras. Not because they were cheering against or challenging the ownership, but because they had exploited their power in the stands to set up illegal, yet highly lucrative (for them), businesses. To clean up the stadium, season tickets for these gentlemen and their friends were suspended. Season tickets were banned, but not for buying tickets for individual matches. It may seem like a bizarre idea, but it serves to break down the hierarchies within the stands, to prevent certain businesses from resuming as if nothing had happened. The Prosecutor's Office and the Police Headquarters made specific requests, and the clubs simply implemented them, although someone would have to explain why the banner dedicated to Herbert Kilpin, the founder of the Rossoneri club, ended up on the blacklist.

The Rossoneri ultras responded by going on a fans' strike, so much so that only the 5,000 Bari fans could be heard during the Coppa Italia. This is the very sad scenario Minister Salvini was delighted to witness. A spectacle that will be repeated in the league opener against Udinese. Then we'll see what happens to Inter in their season opener against Torino, even if the Nerazzurri fans don't seem to be on the barricades like the Rossoneri, where the second line of organized groups are united in remaining silent, gagging the entire stadium. How can the Milan fans' volume be raised? Perhaps by reaching a compromise that keeps certain business deals away from the stands, but allows the clubs to display politically correct banners. I hope Milan doesn't dream of banning criticism because I'm convinced that not even the American owners want that. But the chronicle of the stands' dealings in recent years no longer allows them to look the other way. A cleaned-up stadium doesn't necessarily mean a stadium transformed into a theater, even without spectators. Not all ultras are like those under investigation. But those who remain must know that certain types of trafficking will no longer be allowed into San Siro. Or into other Italian stadiums.

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