In a significant move aimed at enhancing stadium security and dismantling entrenched criminal elements, Milan`s football powerhouses, Inter and AC Milan, are reportedly rejecting hundreds of season ticket renewal applications for the upcoming season. The target group: individuals identified by the clubs and authorities as “unwanted fans.”
Drawing the Line
This stringent policy follows a recent investigation, dubbed `Doppia curva` (Double Curve), which exposed concerns regarding a criminal system allegedly operating within certain fan sectors. In response, the Milanese clubs, in close collaboration with the Milan Public Prosecutor`s Office and the local police headquarters (Questura), have adopted a zero-tolerance approach based on their ethical codes.
The individuals being denied entry are not merely casual troublemakers. They include fans with previous stadium bans (known as Daspo in Italy), those who have received administrative sanctions, or those flagged for involvement in incorrect behavior or violent incidents. This systematic rejection is designed to prevent the recurrence of the illicit activities and control previously exerted by organized groups.
The clubs had already taken steps against the organized fan structures by cancelling the official branding associated with the influential `Curva Nord` (Inter) and `Curva Sud` (Milan) sections. Now, the denial of stadium access for these specific individuals represents a direct blow to their ability to congregate and potentially organize within San Siro.
Beyond the Ban: Non-Transferable Tickets and Tech
The crackdown isn`t limited to outright bans. Further measures are being implemented to tighten control within the stands, particularly in the curva sections. Season tickets for these areas will reportedly become strictly non-transferable. This technical measure aims to prevent tickets from falling into unauthorized hands or being used by individuals circumventing the ban.
Adding another layer of security, San Siro is slated to introduce facial recognition cameras at the turnstiles. This technology, expected to be operational early next year, will serve as a sophisticated screening mechanism to identify and deny entry to individuals on watchlists, further bolstering the efforts to keep unwanted elements out of the stadium.
While the perennial struggle against fan-related issues in football is well-documented, these coordinated actions by Inter, AC Milan, and law enforcement signal a determined effort to create a safer and more controlled environment at San Siro. The success of these measures in permanently disrupting problematic elements will be closely watched as the new season approaches.
Gilbert Pendleton