Dhe Roman police have strongly criticized the journey of the Italian EM heroes in an open bus through Rome on Monday afternoon. Rome Police Chief Matteo Piantedosi announced that the authorities had not given the FIGC football association permission to travel by bus. Apparently, however, the team around captain Giorgio Chiellini had campaigned for a bus trip to celebrate the second European Championship triumph after 1968 with the Tifosi.
Tens of thousands of Romans flocked to the center on the 45-minute drive from the Quirinal Palace, where the Squadra Azzurra was received by Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, to the seat of government, where a meeting with Prime Minister Mario Draghi was planned. All corona distance rules were ignored.
“The national team had asked for a tour of Rome in an open bus, but it was made clear that this is not possible and that we cannot authorize this trip,” said Piantedosi in an interview with the Corriere della Sera. The football association had assured that a closed bus would be used to drive to Draghi. Instead, shortly after the visit to Mattarella, an open bus was ready for the European champions.
“Captain Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have been determined to explain their intentions to the police. At that point, the only thing left to do was take note of the situation and deal with it in the best possible way, ”said the police chief. He expressed the hope that the football association would adhere to the rules and regulations in the future.
The association denied the police’s allegation. The FIGC has always behaved “responsibly and respectfully” towards the institutions and the Italian fans, wrote association boss Gabriele Gravina. Gravina said the short bus ride was decided in accordance with the authorities.
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