Bologna-Fiorentina, whistles during the minute’s silence cost the red and blue club dearly
The booing that came from a part of the crowd present at the Dall’Ara for Bologna-Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon, during the minute of silence arranged by the Federcalcio to honor the memory of Rocco Commisso, the purple patron who passed away in the night between Friday and Saturday, certainly did not go unnoticed. The sports judge, who analyzed the incident, ordered a fine of 5,000 euros for the Rossoblù club, for objective responsibility. A decision made official by the note of Lega Serie A released on Tuesday.
The minute of silence dedicated to Rocco Commisso, observed on all professional league pitches in the aftermath of the passing of the purple patron, was supposed to represent a shared moment of recollection. At the Dall’Ara, however, part of the audience interrupted the commemoration with whistles and noises that immediately drew outrage and dismay, especially since it came in a context in which the entire Italian soccer movement had united in remembrance of the American businessman.
The institutional reaction had not been long in coming already in the hours following the events. Lega Serie A, already on Sunday evening, had expressed regret for what had happened, stressing that the minute’s silence had been requested by the Federation to pay tribute to a manager who had left a deep mark on Italian soccer. The sports judge, after reviewing the reports and images, justified the financial penalty with the need to protect the respect of official commemorations.
Appassionates and insiders have taken further position especially via social media, without hiding their sorrow for what happened. The purple club, engaged in days of mourning and memorial initiatives, had appreciated the FIGC’s decision to dedicate a minute’s silence in all matches, considering it a due gesture toward a president who had led the club for years.
The match between Bologna and Bologna was scheduled for the following day.
The match between Bologna and Fiorentina had also been in doubt for a few hours, with the first reports leaked after Commisso’s death talking about a possible postponement. It was the purple club itself that had insisted on playing, to honor the figure of their president on the field. The match was therefore played on Sunday, with Fiorentina victorious 2-1.
