Genoa’s Serie A Match Against Juventus To Be Played Behind Closed Doors

Genoa will host Juventus behind closed doors this weekend after Italy’s security authorities decided on Friday to punish the Serie A club for serious fan trouble during their Italian Cup defeat to local rivals Sampdoria.

In a statement, Genoa confirmed earlier reports that the match would be played without fans due to widespread clashes between the two clubs’ hardcore ultras before and after Wednesday’s derby, won on penalties by Sampdoria.

Prolonged clashes led to dozens of injuries to fans and police on a day of tension in the Italian port city of Genoa.

Samp said that the away supporters’ section had been closed for their Serie B fixture at Modena on Sunday, with ticket sales for other sections also banned for anyone from the Liguria region of which Genoa is the capital.

Coached by Andrea Sottil, Samp could also have supporters barred from their next home match, against Juve Stabia on October 4.

On Thursday, Italy’s interior ministry said its public security department was also evaluating Genoa’s and Samp’s following four matches, asking Serie A and Serie B to tell the clubs not to sell tickets for those fixtures until a decision is made.

Genoa head into Saturday’s home clash with Juventus one point above the relegation zone.

Wednesday’s violence was followed by more disorder between Napoli and Palermo fans on Thursday.

Supporters caused a seven-minute delay to the start of the second half of the match, won 5-0 by Napoli, by throwing flares and firecrackers at each other.

Napoli fans were also involved in clashes with Cagliari fans in Sardinia earlier this month.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)