Italy opened itself upto soccer business and Luca Pancalli, the FIGC special commissioner stated that games would get underway this weekend. But there is a caveat.
Spectators will only be allowed to see games in Pisanu decree compliant clubs, otherwise they will be banned. The Pisanu decree is a set of anti-terrorism laws that came into effect after the London bombings, in nature and scope the laws are very similar to the US PATRIOT act in that suspects can be subjected to surveillance and expulsion without any legal representation.
The interior minister under Berlusconi’s government, Giuseppe Pisanu also ordered that these laws be implemented to curb violence in soccer stadiums. The new measures, to come into effect at the start of the 2005- 2006 season, involve ticket sales, video surveillance inside grounds and other administrative aspects of stadium management.
So far it appears that there are five Serie A clubs which are compliant and the number is expected to increase to seven and possibly ten after the ban on block ticket sales to away fans is enforced.
The Corriere Dell Sera has more >>