Genoa Supporters Jailed
The match, which saw Genoa lose 4-1 in a run of horrendous form, was suspended for 40 minutes while the club’s ultras demanded the players’ shirts. According to the ultras, the players were unfit to wear the famous rossoblu shirt, and decided the middle of the match was the appropriate time to demand them.
At one point, captain Marco Rossi collected all of the players’ shirts and proceeded to hand them over. However, it was on loan striker Giuseppe Sculli that prevented this from happening and confronted the angry supporters. Images of Sculli and the ultras were spread across the globe the following day, giving Serie A another black eye in the minds of many. In the aftermath, team coach Alberto Malesani was sacked for a second time during the season.
The guilty men have now been given jail terms varying in length between six and eight months.
Just like a year ago, Genoa are currently fighting relegation. However, the team have been much better since January when Davide Ballardini took over as coach. The team are unbeaten in five, which includes a draw with Juventus and a win over Lazio.
The Grifone travel to the Stadio Olimpico this weekend to take on Roma.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @CalcioFarmer, Drew is the Forzaitalianfootball.com Genoa correspondent and also hosts the Forzaitalianfootball.com weekly Club Focus podcast.