Italy and open bus, Figc: “Choice shared by institutions”

The National team parade on the open-top bus in the center of Rome, after the triumph at Euro 2020, was a choice “shared by the institutions”. This was stated by the FIGC in a long note in which the federal president Gabriele Gravina expresses himself after the statements made by the Prefect of Rome Matteo Piantedosi, who referred to an unauthorized parade. Read also “It is not our intention to fuel further controversy, because we do not want to transform a moment of national joy into a divisive issue. We have always worked for unity and we will continue to do so, underlining however how the Federation has always been responsible, but above all respectful of the Italian institutions and fans “, says Gravina. The note underlines how” upon arrival in front of Palazzo Chigi, I felt that the situation was no longer manageable as the covered bus had not dissuaded the fans from encircling the Italian delegation, we still reiterated the request, at this point shared by the institutions, for a short ride with the open bus, also with a view to protecting the safety of the players and not to disappoint the thousands of people who had already poured into the center of the Capital in the hours preceding this meeting “. Reconstructing the story, the FIGC specifies:” Interpreting popular sentiment, in the days h before the Wembley final, the Italian Football Federation asked for the authorization, always denied, for the celebrations of a possible European success, identifying different locations (including Piazza del Popolo) where it could be played with limited numbers and in compliance a ceremony in complete safety of all the prescriptions of the moment “.” With no viable alternatives, the FIGC organized the return of the team to Florence at the Technical Center of Coverciano for the immediate dissolution of the delegation. The return to Rome was expected only after receiving welcome invitations from the Head of State and the President of the Council of Ministers “, explains the note.” After the ceremony at the Quirinale, at the request of the team, which saw only a few minutes to increase the crowd on the way to Palazzo Chigi, the request was reiterated to be able to use the open bus, prepared in advance for any eventuality, in order to share the immense happiness for a sporting success of this magnitude with the thousands of people already massed in the streets “.” On the way to get to Piazza Colonna – adds the FIGC in its reconstruction of the facts – the covered bus carrying the team was repeatedly slowed down, then blocked and literally overwhelmed by the affection of the now very numerous people, who, in any case, was not already wearing personal protective equipment (so-called ‘masks’) “.” Upon arrival in front of Palazzo Chigi, I felt that the situation was no longer gestures Since the covered bus had not dissuaded the fans from encircling the Italian delegation in every way, we still reiterated the request, at this point shared by the institutions, for a short journey with the open bus, also with a view to protecting the safety of the players and in order not to disappoint the thousands of people who had already poured into the center of the capital in the hours preceding this meeting “.” For how those excited moments of great popular participation were managed, the FIGC thanks the representatives of the Forza Italia ‘Order, which accompanied the national team with a great spirit of service and commendable professionalism “, concludes the note from the Football Association.