Catania-Roma behind closed doors
Thursday 5 April, 2007
The Catania–Roma match will be played behind closed doors despite the TAR’s ruling, the National Observers have confirmed.

Catania’s civil court had overturned the ban on the Sicilian supporters, accepting the appeal lodged by 82 fans and cancelling the previous penalty handed out by the FIGC.

The Rossazzurri had also been forced to play the rest of their home matches this term at a neutral venue as a consequence of the February riots at the derby with Palermo.

However, the National Observers have announced that the Week 31 tie at the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce will be played behind closed doors.

“The match between Catania and Roma on Saturday is considered a high-risk event, considering the incidents that have occurred in the past between these two sets of supporters.

“Therefore the game must be played behind closed doors,” read an official statement.

The Federation had announced that it would appeal against the Catania tribunal’s decision, as under new laws the civil courts should not have jurisdiction over sporting matters, unless it is the Lazio TAR in Rome.

channel4.com