Fans Will Make Themselves Heard When Juventus Meet Genoa - Even If They're Not In The Stadium

Fans Will Make Themselves Heard When Juventus Meet Genoa - Even If They're Not In The Stadium
10:24, 17 Jan 2018

Serie A returns from its annual Winter Break this weekend, and there is little doubt that the clash between Inter and AS Roma is likely to garner the most attention. The two clubs began the campaign hoping to contend with the title, yet the Milanese club now sit nine points behind the leaders, with their next opponents trailing by a further three points. But while there is no denying the magnitude of this clash at San Siro, the biggest story of round 21 could well involve Genoa’s trip to Turin on Monday.

The Grifone have endured a torrid season and sit in mid-table and a visit to Juventus Stadium is hardly ideal as they look to climb higher, particularly as the Bianconeri will themselves be looking to at least keep pace with first-place Napoli. However, it is not on the pitch where the intrigue in this game will lie, but instead in the square directly outside the ground where Juve’s most loyal supporters will be gathered.

Indeed, the Curva Sud will once again be closed and fans – many of them season ticket holders will not be permitted to enter and take up their usual position behind the goal. The whole end will remain shut for the duration of the game against Genoa, the punishment part of a long and complex case regarding the distribution of tickets and false claims of links to the Italian mafia.

Last year, Juventus were investigated after allegedly handing vast numbers of tickets to Ultra groups and club President Andrea Agnelli was banned for a year for his role in the sale of match tickets to mafia-linked supporters' groups. He was said to have dealt with Rocco Dominello, a supporter said to be close to the Calabria-based N'drangheta mafia group. Agnelli denied that but did recall meeting the man – who was sentenced to seven years in jail – according to AFP, however the court found him not guilty of knowingly meeting with Dominello, and wrote in its ruling he was "totally unaware" of any illegality.

Agnelli insisted back in May that he met the ultras to make sure they did not feel discriminated against, and to avoid "problems of public order” in the future. He was initially fined €20,000 for his role in the case and suspended from all football activities for a year, a verdict which, along with punishments for three other Juventus officials, was overturned on appeal in December.

Prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro had requested a 30-month suspension and €50,000 fine, also insisting that Juventus to be ordered to play two games behind closed doors. But that was also reduced, ultimately leading to the club now having to face Genoa with the Curva Sud closed to supporters.

Yet while the story is complex, the outcome has led to a superb showing of support by the very fans who will be denied access to their seats on Monday. Over the weekend, a flyer was distributed, calling on those who normally occupy that section to still travel to the stadium and rather than going in, remain in the square and support the team as they usually do. “They may close the space,” it read, “but they will never muzzle our passion!”

With the fanbase hardly renowned for their strong showings and often – like those of many successful clubs – seen as “fair weather” supporters who never have to fight to be heard, such a gathering would be hugely impressive. It remains to be seen just how many heed this call to action, but it could lead to a unique and captivating situation with the game being played inside the stadium and the most vocal fans shut out but still singing until the final whistle. 

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