The Italian soccer federation gave the green light for teams to resume play this weekend after the government approved tough measures to fight violence.
All play has been suspended since last Friday following the killing of a policeman in rioting by fans outside the Catania stadium in Sicily during the Serie A match between the home team and Sicilian rival Palermo.
Only four Serie A stadiums — Rome's Olympic Stadium, Palermo's Barbera Stadium, Turin's Olympic Stadium and Siena's Franchi Stadium — meet the regulations, which include closed-circuit TV surveillance, numbered seating and electronic turnstiles. Under the new measures, other stadiums will remain closed to fans until they compile with these security measures. The most famous of those stadiums needing security upgrades is Milan's San Siro — home to AC Milan and Inter Milan. Inter, the runaway Serie A leader, will resume play in the deserted Bentegodi Stadium — home of Chievo Verona and one of the stadiums most in need of work.
Other measures will be taken to control fans — including a ban on the block sale of tickets to away fans, a ban on those involved in violence, tougher prison sentences for hooliganism and a ban on financial relationships between clubs and fan associations.
''Today, we have decided that security comes before anything else,'' said Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri, adding all stadiums would gradually reopen to the public.
The reaction of pro clubs wasn't as positive. Aurelio De Laurentiis, the president of Serie B Napoli, said a ''fascist climate'' reigned and called the closed stadiums ''a ridiculous idea.'' AC Milan star Paolo Maldini called the notion of closed stadiums ''the death of soccer.'' Milan is scheduled to resume play in the empty San Siro against Livorno.