Is Arenas stadium is again in the news for its substandard security measures or rather uncontrolled behavior of its home crowd. In a latest turnaround, forthcoming match between Cagliari and Roma was scheduled for coming Sunday, but the same has now been postponed for improper security arrangements at the stadium. Actually, there were some cases of crowd misbehavior so authorities decided that this match has to be played under closed doors without the presence of any spectator, which Cagliari ignored altogether. Perhaps, Cagliari asked its fans through its website to come and gather on the stadium irrespective of what authorities say about it. However, they asked their fans to come and meet peacefully to avoid any untoward happenings. This overruling of authority’s order has been taken up seriously by the authorities, so they held a late night meeting with local police and decided this postponement.
Many think that Cagliari provoked its fans to come and join the match which is unacceptable to authorities – at least this time, Anyways, what Cagliari asked its fans through their statement on website was, “The Company Cagliari Calcio, represented by its president Massimo Cellino, the members and all those who work for it, given the persistence of the situation that leads to no longer see a future because of bureaucratic difficulties and the lack of interest in collective institutions, calls and asks all his fans, ticket holders and subscription, go to the stadium to watch the game Cagliari-Roma in respect of order and civilization. The Company Cagliari Calcio and his engineers consider in fact the structure accessible and secure.
This act, absolutely peaceful, driven by pain and frustration, to defend the right to exist. Conversely it is right to acknowledge it.”
After the Saturday’s war of the worlds both Cagliari Prefecture and the Italian Football Federation issued a statement that confirmed the postponement and a probable match cancellation if deemed necessary. Their statement read as, “This decision was forced by the urgent and serious need to prevent any form of public disorder caused by the irrational and ill-advised action of the Cagliari president.” On the other hand, Roma has already arrived at the venue; perhaps they also practiced yesterday ahead of their scheduled match which is now postponed. After looking at the happenings, Roma is planning to file an official complaint for all this that could cost them a match, if cancelled. Notably, this season of Serie A has already had a match that was played with closed doors, i.e., match between home Rossoblu and Atalanta on same stadium – which was ended as draw.