Totti hits new high for Roma

Serie A resumed this weekend amidst tighter security as the Italian game adjusted to new measures to combat hooliganism. Pictures of teams playing in empty stadiums spoke volumes of the new climate surrounding calcio. On the pitch, though, it was business as usual as Francesco Totti again grabbed the headlines, this time with a goal on his record 452nd appearance for AS Roma.

Historic occasion
The Stadio Olimpico was one of just six stadiums permitted to admit spectators following new legislation passed by the Italian government last week. That allowed Roma fans to witness their talismanic captain surpass Giacomo Losi's long-standing club record in a 3-0 win against FC Parma. They had further reason to celebrate five minutes into the second half when the 30-year-old forward put Roma in front with a header to replace AC Siena's Enrico Chiesa as Serie A's leading scorer among active players with 139 goals.

'Huge honour'
"It is a huge honour to become the player with most appearances for the club I love, surpassing a great champion like Losi," said Totti, who is also the club's highest scorer having bettered the 106 goals scored by Roberto Pruzzo over two years ago. Sunday's strike was Totti's league-leading 14th goal of the season, but rather than focus on personal achievements he was keen to spread another message. "Our goal is to bring people back to see football," he said. "Violence has nothing to do with football. Stadiums without spectators are a defeat for everybody. Football is about passion and joy. We should try to display those emotions at every ground."

'Hope'
Totti spoke for the majority at the Stadio Olimpico whose rousing applause soon drowned out booing from a small section of the crowd during the minute's silence held in honour of the policeman who died in Catania last weekend. "The reaction of the spectators in Rome gives us real hope for the future," said Sergio Campana, president of the Italian Footballers' Association. Italian Football Federation acting commissioner Luca Pancalli added: "The real fans won at the Stadio Olimpico."