(ANSA) - Rome, July 20 - Senior soccer stewards will be able to bear arms to keep the peace at Italy's stadiums if a government decree is approved by parliament. The bill, which is being examined by the House Constitutional Affairs and Culture Commission, is part of efforts to fight soccer violence after a police officer was killed in rioting at a top-flight game in February.It rules that 'steward supervisors', who will be in charge of teams of up to 20 stewards, will be able to carry guns at grounds with a capacity of over 7,500. These coordinators must be aged 30-50, be "in good mental and physical health", have a high-school diploma and know at least one foreign language.
| Nothing about marksmanship, however ... |
Up to now, there have been fewer stewards at Italian grounds than in England and their role has been more limited. British stewards help fans find their seats and make sure they do not do anything they shouldn't during the game, like racially abuse players or hurl objects onto the pitch. This makes it possible to reduce the police presence at grounds, which in turn helps reduce potential tension between fans and security forces.
British police are only called on to handle major incidents inside stadiums.
It is hoped the greater use of stewards in Italy will help to restore order to parts of stadiums that have become no-go areas for the police.
Italy's hard-core ultra fans can often do as they please in the sections of the grounds they take up. Smoking cannabis, for example, is common at Serie A games. This is possible because Italian police only enter these areas as a last resort. They know the ultras would consider it an invasion of their territory and react violently.
The tragic death of police officer Filippo Raciti at the February 2 Catania-Palermo game, however, has convinced the authorities that the ultras must be brought to heel.
Palermo Chairman Maurizio Zamparini, however, does not like the idea of seeing gun-toting stewards at matches. "Stadiums aren't battle grounds. I'd follow the example of England, where the stewards have truncheons, not guns".
| And use them liberally. |