Travel ban to Empoli for Sardinian fans, Cagliari presents urgent appeal to the TAR
It is the tenth time, out of 16 away games, that supporters from the Island have received restrictions, although without any particular precedents.
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The decision made yesterday evening by the Prefecture of Florence to ban Sardinian fans from the Empoli-Cagliari away match on Sunday has no – to date – justification. And the rossoblù club is counterattacking: this afternoon it presented an urgent appeal to the TAR of Tuscany, against the measure of the Prefect of Florence, doing everything possible to protect its fans: the response should arrive by Friday afternoon. The appeal was presented by the lawyer Matilde Mura, appointed by the rossoblù club.
The only reason is generic: public order issues . However, these clash with the reality of the facts, given that there are no problems with the Tuscan fans and that, throughout the season, no improper behavior by the rossoblù supporters has been recorded in the 15 away games already played (14 in Serie A and the one in the Coppa Italia with Juventus). A choice that has led to general discontent in Sardinia , with a tough stance taken by the rossoblù club (before proceeding with the appeal) and an equally firm comment from president Tommaso Giulini .
Yet, despite the almost total absence of public order problems, for the tenth time in 16 matches away from the Island, Cagliari has to deal with limitations: this time much more stringent, because not all residents of Sardinia will be able to enter Empoli. Even if they have the Fidelity Card "Passione rossoblù", which (only in theory) should be a convenience.
In 9 away games, out of 15 already played, there were restrictions for Cagliari. In detail, and in chronological order, against Juventus, Genoa, Fiorentina, Juventus in the Italian Cup, Venezia, Torino, Atalanta, Bologna and Roma . In all these cases, the authorities had established the obligation, for fans resident in Sardinia, to purchase tickets in the away section only if in possession of a fidelity card. With a ban on away games for those who did not have one. The only away games without restrictions were Lecce (31 August), Parma (30 September), Udinese (25 October), Lazio (4 November), Monza (5 January) and lastly Milan (11 January). This last game, in which the Sardinians were insulted by Milan fans, without however going beyond a fine for the Rossoneri club .
The very long series of limitations just listed has no particular explanation even looking at all the sanctions received by Cagliari for the behavior of their fans. There are just three, all at home. The first is the "famous" match with Napoli on September 15, when - following the throwing of smoke bombs from the away sector to the Curva Sud - the reaction came from the public including the Curva Nord, with the match suspended for about seven minutes . In the circumstance, a fine of 30,000 euros and a warning for both clubs . Then on December 14 with Atalanta, a fine of 3,000 euros for throwing two firecrackers onto the pitch from the stands. Finally on February 3 with Lazio, because in the 64th minute a lighter and a plastic cup were thrown.
Cagliari has never had any problems away from home this season. On the contrary: on several occasions there was a festive exodus, see with Monza where there were also the boys from a Cagliari club who had played a tournament in Lombardy. And the explanations, even directly hearing the authorities who made this decision, stop at generic reasons and reports received , without however going into the merits of what actually triggered the alarm for a match that does not appear to present any danger to public order. And the hypothesis that it all arose from the clashes last season during Fiorentina-Cagliari does not hold up: in December the away match at the Franchi, albeit with limitations and a reduced capacity away sector for work, was granted.
The Carlo Castellani stadium in Empoli has a capacity of 16,800 seats, but the 3,100 in the away section will be without Sardinian fans (who will not be able to buy tickets in other parts of the facility). A year ago, on March 3, 2024, there were thousands of them in the 0-1 victory that was decisive for salvation, obviously without problems. A ban that will affect those who, moreover, had already organized themselves from the Island to move by ship or plane (they will be able to ask for compensation for damages resulting from the costs already incurred to purchase transport tickets). And, from a possible mass mobilization to support Davide Nicola's team in a very delicate salvation clash, we will move to an all-"home" stadium, without allowing regular access for guests. Without, for now, anyone among those who made this decision having explained why .
