Sixteen stadium bans (Daspo) have been issued by the Rimini Police Commissioner against as many ultras implicated in the investigation into the clashes that took place on March 14 near the “Giorgio Calbi” stadium in Cattolica. Eight of them were also ordered to report regularly to police, having already been subject to the same type of measure in the past.
The events date back to the day when Cattolica hosted the match Vismara 2008-Alma Fano Calcio, part of the Promozione league championship.
According to the reconstruction carried out as part of the investigation coordinated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and conducted jointly by the Digos anti-terrorism unit of the State Police and the Carabinieri of Rimini, Alma Fano supporters, who had arrived in their own cars at the parking areas near the sports facility, were reportedly greeted with the throwing of several smoke bombs.
Immediately afterward, an assault allegedly broke out carried out by a group of people with covered faces, armed with poles and flags. Some Fano fans reportedly reacted, and within moments a full-blown brawl erupted. At the root of the clashes lies the longstanding rivalry between Alma Fano supporters and those of Rimini and Cattolica.
During the disorder, a fan from the Marche region was struck in the head by an object, presumably a stone picked up from a nearby construction site. The man suffered a head injury with a prognosis of 30 days. Sticks and other blunt objects were also recovered at the scene.
The investigation led, on May 27, to personal and home searches targeting the individuals believed to be involved. The alleged offenses include, to varying degrees, affray, aggravated bodily harm, and disguising one’s identity to hinder recognition in a public place.
At the conclusion of the inquiry by the Anti-Crime Office of the Rimini Police Headquarters, the 16 stadium bans were issued. Eight will last two years. For the other eight, who had already been subject to similar measures in the past, an obligation to report to police was also imposed: one of the bans will last eight years, four will be valid for six years, and three for five years.
