During the Serie A fixture between Juventus and Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium, a segment of the Juventus home support chose not to observe a minute of silence dedicated to Italian football legend Sandro Mazzola, turning their backs to the pitch and chanting the names of club figures instead, according to reports from outlets including la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera.
Ultra Protest Disrupts Allianz Stadium Tribute
Division on the Terraces
The pre-match tribute had been ordered by Lega Serie A to honor Mazzola, the former Inter Milan and Italy star who passed away. As the stadium announcer detailed the moment of remembrance, an immediate and spontaneous wave of applause swept across most sections of the Allianz Stadium. However, that collective gesture was disrupted in the central sector of the first ring, home to the club’s organized ultra groups.
Curva Sud Turns Its Back
According to coverage by la Repubblica, a large group of supporters in the Curva Sud turned away from the center of the field, showing their backs during the entire duration of the silence. Rather than observing the tribute for the Inter icon, the supporters chanted the names of prominent historical figures associated with Juventus. Fans voiced the names of former captain Gaetano Scirea, defender Andrea Fortunato, and—following the referee’s whistle signaling the end of the minute—former club patron Gianni Agnelli.
Rivalries Overriding Protocols
The incident drew immediate reactions across Italian sports media, highlighting ongoing football rivalries that often spill over into official league-mandated tributes. While the vast majority of the stadium participated in the applause, the overt demonstration by the ultra groups underscored the deep-seated club loyalties that frequently override institutional protocols in Italian stadiums.
Awaiting Official Sanctions
Worth a look
