Malagò rules out collective punishments for Juventus after Turin incident
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has taken a stance on possible measures after the incident at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, where some Juventus fans turned their backs on the pitch during the minute of silence dedicated to Sandro Mazzola at that moment.
Malagò expressed his view on the Numer1 podcast, hosted by Giuseppe Cruciani, Sandro Sabatini and Ivan Zazzaroni, where he reiterated his clear stance against sanctions that indiscriminately target the entire fan base or the Juventus club. During the broadcast, the President answered the hosts’ questions, emphasizing the need for a targeted response.
« I say no to collective punishments. All those people who have disgraced the 99 % of everyone else must be identified in a surgical and scientific way », Malagò said, adding that Juventus is absolutely a victim of the conduct of a few. He clarified that a collective sanction would unjustly hit the fans who have always shown loyalty to the club.
Individual sanctions, not collective
The president emphasized that any measures should be directed straight at the individuals responsible for the contested behavior, avoiding that the consequences fall on the entire club or the general Juventus fan base.
Malagò expressed bitterness over the lack of respect for Sandro Mazzola’s memory, recalling that the player was the son of Valentino Mazzola, captain of the Grande Torino, and that his family has deep roots in the city of Turin. He also noted that the Mazzola family has always supported Turin football, making Turin a symbolic city for the memory of the great athlete.
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He then cited the previous minute of silence dedicated to Franco Baresi, describing it as a clear precedent that should always be respected, and said that even that remembrance was marked by regret.
Malagò also observed that his fate as President is tied to the results of the national team led by Roberto Mancini, emphasizing that any failures could influence the public perception of his decisions.
Procedure and reactions
The FIGC had arranged a minute of silence in memory of Mazzola for all matches of the following weekend, with flags lowered to half‑mast at the Rome headquarters and at the Coverciano Technical Center. The inspectors of the federal prosecutor present at the Stadium reported the incident, which will be evaluated by the competent bodies of sports justice.
Juventus publicly distanced itself from the behavior of a portion of its supporters, stating that no rivalry can justify a lack of respect during a commemoration. Malagò concluded by hoping that individual subjects are targeted, thereby protecting Juve from unfair sanctions.