Today, the Prefect of the Province of Benevento ordered a ban on the sale of tickets to residents of Sicily and the cancellation, with refunds, of those already sold for the Benevento–Catania match.
President Rosario Pelligra has issued the following statement:
“As a sign of solidarity with all rossazzurri supporters, I will not be present at the ‘Vigorito’ stadium for Benevento–Catania. This decision is shared with Vincenzo Grella and Mark Bresciano, who will return to Catania in the coming hours, and it is a composed but clear act of protest.
The decision of the competent authority will be the subject of an urgent appeal by Catania Football Club for evident substantive reasons. The timing of the measure, which comes two days after the start of ticket sales and just over 24 hours before kick-off, represents a further penalty for our supporters and therefore for our club: 1,369 people had legitimately organized themselves for a midweek away trip and a night match, planning their family and work commitments accordingly.
The refund of the ticket cost will not compensate for the expenses already incurred, will not reduce the inconvenience and will not erase the bitterness. As an entrepreneur who in four years has invested significant economic resources, time, passion, sacrifices and enthusiasm, I ask myself and I ask the institutions, both football-related and otherwise: does it still make economic and logical sense to continue investing in Italian football if even what should be certain can suddenly be overturned, penalizing clubs and supporters who together fuel the engine of football?
I hope that the institutions and the Italian Football Federation, together with Lega Pro, will answer this question and be able to convince the people, not me. This is the most important match of the championship, but the cover story of the match is truly ugly, because Catania will not have its ‘twelfth man’.
Finally, a message to our players: I am sure that tomorrow evening you will bring onto the field the love and energy that you deserved to receive from the stands, and I am convinced that you will deliver your best performance, representing Catania — a great Italian city — and Catania, a club that shows respect by culture and deserves respect for its seriousness. Some may think they have weakened you, but I am certain that this situation will make you even stronger.”
