Something curious took place in Florence, less than 24 hours after the violence at Upton Park. Fiorentina took on Sporting in their Champions League play-off without an on-duty policeman at the Stadio Franchi. With Uefa’s permission, security was left to the stewards.
It is all part of an ambitious plan by Francesco Tagliente, Florence’s progressive chief of police. Tagliente believes in reducing — and in some cases eliminating — police presence to combat fan violence, including creating special “pram parking” areas at the ground for families with toddlers and urging Fiorentina’s Ultras to “twin” with Liverpool supporters’ groups before their Champions League match.
It is about time someone in Italian law enforcement tried a different approach.
A policeman willing to use his brain and not his baton. Something we should all celebrate.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
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