Alessandra Todde also joins the controversy over the banned trip of the rossoblù fans to Empoli: « Discrimination against Sardinians just because they are Sardinians is not acceptable », thunders the governor in a post on her social profiles. «The decision to penalize Cagliari fans is unjustifiable. I ask the president of Empoli to review his decision and I hope for a quick and positive solution to the matter». Statements that add to those of Tommaso Giulini, the position taken by Cagliari Calcio, the statements of Ugo Cappellacci and the fiery letter from the president of the regional council Comandini to the president of Empoli Fabrizio Corsi.
THE EMPOLI NOTE
But Empoli itself, a few hours ago, gave its version of the facts. The decision is not the club's: « We comply with the recommendations contained in the Determination of the National Observatory of March 25, 2025, which suggests not to start the sale of tickets » to residents of Sardinia, even if they have a fidelity card.
The recommendation, the Tuscan company explains in a note, is "supported by the request of the Committee for the Analysis of the Safety of Sports Events (Casms) to refer the decision, after consulting the Police Commissioner, to the Prefect of Florence, highlighting critical issues for public order and safety ."
In short, it was simply "taken into account what was indicated by the competent authorities" . And in the event of new measures that allow the sale of tickets, Empoli "will immediately make tickets available for Sardinian fans who want to attend the match, hosting them at the Carlo Castellani Computer Gross Arena in compliance with the rules and the spirit of sport".
THE REASONS OF EMPOLI AND THOSE OF THE SARDINIANS
Empoli has its reasons, in the determinations of the Onms it is written that the decision on any security measures is deferred to the Casms, pending which "the competent League is invited to involve the organizing company to prevent the sale of tickets from starting" .
However, a situation of uncertainty persists which, four days before the kick-off of a delicate salvation challenge, creates no small difficulties for those who have already organized or must organize a trip beyond the Tyrrhenian Sea. The final decision could come at the end of a summit of the Committee for Public Order and Security, convened for 5 pm today at the Prefecture in Florence .
UNCERTAINTY AND CONTROVERSY
The controversy is mounting on this side of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tommaso Giulini has asked for "respect for the Sardinians" . "Still shamefully waiting for an official provision. The game will be played in 4 days. Many have already organized to leave, will they be forced to stay outside the stadium and protest? Respect for Sardinia! ", wrote the rossoblù patron.
The club has asked the relevant institutions to "carefully consider the difficulties linked to insularity" and underlined that " many supporters have already incurred significant costs, purchasing flights or ferry tickets to reach Tuscany ".
"We express strong doubts - reads the club's note - for any decisions that continue to penalize indiscriminately and unjustifiably an entire population, traditionally loyal and hospitable, who intend to experience the sporting event in compliance with the rules and the spirit of sport. We therefore trust in a fair intervention by the institutions to avoid territorial discrimination and to guarantee full protection of the rights of the rossoblù fans".
POLITICS
Politics has also entered the fray on the case with the positions taken by Alessandro Serra, FI city secretary , by Todde, by Ugo Cappellacci and by the president of the regional council Piero Comandini, who wrote a letter to the president of Empoli Calcio Fabrizio Corsi .
Cappellacci, Forza Italia president of the Social Affairs Committee of the Chamber, says "no to shameful discrimination against Sardinian fans". "Those who follow the rossoblù team away from home - observes Cappellacci - are already forced to face the trip with a thousand sacrifices on an economic and organizational level. Adding to these difficulties also a ban that is absolutely unjustified and, to say the least, scandalous represents an insult to the fans, to the team and to all of Sardinia . If this atrocity is not immediately cancelled, I reserve the right to present a series of inspection documents in parliament so that it does not remain without consequences ".
This is instead the letter from Comandini to President Corsi: «Overcoming the uncertainty and immediately putting tickets on sale for the Sardinians is a matter of respect for the fans. Without an official provision from the competent authorities , the decision of Empoli Calcio to block the sale of tickets is an unjustified act that damages and penalizes the fans ».
«Four days before the match – continues Comandini – uncertainty reigns and the fans have been denied the possibility of buying and following their team away due to an arbitrary decision».
David Lombardi