10.08.2005 0

Italian Riviera: Football fans protest relegation

Chaos at train station in Genoa

There were violent confrontations between the police and supporters of the beleaguered Genoa football club on Monday night. Fans overturned and set fire to vehicles at the railway station to protest against Genoa’s relegation following alleged corruption by the team’s manager.

Genoa has been languishing in the Italian second division (Serie B) for years while archrival Sampdoria, the other big team in the city, climbed back into the premier league, Serie A. At the end of the 2004/2005 season it looked as if Genoa FC had finally made it into the top league, but controversy rages over how they achieved it.

The reason why the English name for the city "Genoa" is used for the team and not the Italian “Genova” is because it has its origins in the "Genoa Cricket and Athletics Club" founded by the English in 1893. It is the oldest football club in Italy.

Share |

Go back

Comments

Add a comment