Though italian football offers little in the way of spectacle, every weekend seems to produce a talking point. This time the focus was on the Serie B game between Livorno and Verona. Their games are always at risk of violence because the two cities are poles apart politically, Livorno being a left wing stronghold and Verona with elements that still cling to Italy's fascist past. On Saturday sections of Verona's ultràs were giving the fascist salute, which is illegal but not unusual. But they then proceeded to insult the memory of Piermario Morosini, who died on the pitch playing for Livorno at Pescara in April. Even those who are used to the excesses of the ultràs were taken by surprise at such ignoble behaviour. We now await the reaction of the authorities, and Verona must fear that in the present climate they could incur a severe sanction.
