Torino hit by stadium ban
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Article summary
Torino Calcio must play their remaining five home Serie A matches at a neutral ground.
Article body
Torino Calcio have been banned from playing at their Delle Alpi stadium for five matches following crowd violence last weekend.
Unacceptable behaviour
The Serie A strugglers will have to play their next five home games - against Reggina Calcio, Perugia Calcio, Piacenza FC, Udinese Calcio and Empoli FC - on neutral territory after the Italian Football League ruled that the behaviour of a number of Torino fans during their 3-0 home defeat against AC Milan was unacceptable.
Match abandoned
The game on Saturday was abandoned after 63 minutes after goals from Filippo Inzaghi and Clarence Seedorf (2) had put the visitors into a commanding lead. Police were forced to use tear gas to prevent irate Torino fans from invading the pitch in protest at their team's performance, and referee Luca Palanca abandoned the match.
Bleak outlook
Milan have now been awarded a 3-0 victory from the game and, given the loss of home advantage for the rest of the season, the outlook for Torino is now bleaker than ever. Coach Renzo Ullivieri was dismissed yesterday and they sit second-bottom of Serie A with just 13 points from 22 games, fully ten points from safety.
