Italy players have welcomed the decision taken by the country's football supremo to ban Azzurri fans from travelling to the national team´s away games.
Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete took the decision in the wake of unsavoury scenes during their World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria on Saturday.
A section of visiting fans threw bottles at Bulgarian supporters and made fascists salutes and chants during the goalless result in Sofia.
"If this is the only way to avoid nights like that witnessed in Sofia, then to ban the sale of tickets to Italian fans for away games is the right decision," said Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.
The Azzurri, who are in Lecce preparing for Wednesday´s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, had 2,000 fans turn up to watch them train on Monday.
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini feels sympathy for the majority of fans but believes the situation has to change.
"It´s a decision that damages those supporters that follow the national team with so much passion," he said. "But I believe it´s right and they should understand.
"We cannot go ahead like this."
Three Italian fans were also detained by local police after burning a Bulgarian flag at the weekend in Sofia, but they have now been released.
Italy's defence minister Ignazio La Russa was left speechless by that incident though.
"I feel shame for what has happened," he said. "But especially, for the horrible gesture that has seen some individuals burn a flag of a friendly country."
Italy coach Marcello Lippi admitted he only found out about Saturday´s disturbances in the press.
"I didn´t notice anything regarding what happened with the Azzurri fans," he said. "I read about it in the newspapers. I hope what happened on Saturday will not happen again."
Lippi though expects a healthier atmosphere in Lecce.
"When we last played at Lecce against Moldova (in World Cup qualifying three years ago) we felt so much warmth from the fans," he added.
Abete has already warned security will be stepped up for Wednesday´s home encounter.
"We are organising everything with the Interior Ministry and with those responsible for security," he said.
In the meantime, Lippi is hoping De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso and Giuseppe Rossi all recover from minor knocks in time for the midweek encounter.
A section of visiting fans threw bottles at Bulgarian supporters and made fascists salutes and chants during the goalless result in Sofia.
"If this is the only way to avoid nights like that witnessed in Sofia, then to ban the sale of tickets to Italian fans for away games is the right decision," said Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.
The Azzurri, who are in Lecce preparing for Wednesday´s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, had 2,000 fans turn up to watch them train on Monday.
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini feels sympathy for the majority of fans but believes the situation has to change.
"It´s a decision that damages those supporters that follow the national team with so much passion," he said. "But I believe it´s right and they should understand.
"We cannot go ahead like this."
Three Italian fans were also detained by local police after burning a Bulgarian flag at the weekend in Sofia, but they have now been released.
Italy's defence minister Ignazio La Russa was left speechless by that incident though.
"I feel shame for what has happened," he said. "But especially, for the horrible gesture that has seen some individuals burn a flag of a friendly country."
Italy coach Marcello Lippi admitted he only found out about Saturday´s disturbances in the press.
"I didn´t notice anything regarding what happened with the Azzurri fans," he said. "I read about it in the newspapers. I hope what happened on Saturday will not happen again."
Lippi though expects a healthier atmosphere in Lecce.
"When we last played at Lecce against Moldova (in World Cup qualifying three years ago) we felt so much warmth from the fans," he added.
Abete has already warned security will be stepped up for Wednesday´s home encounter.
"We are organising everything with the Interior Ministry and with those responsible for security," he said.
In the meantime, Lippi is hoping De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso and Giuseppe Rossi all recover from minor knocks in time for the midweek encounter.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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