Italy Bans 16 Roma Fans from Stadiums Over Fascist Salute

Rome police announced on Wednesday a ban prohibiting 16 AS Roma fans from entering stadiums across Italy. The decision follows the fans' performance of a fascist salute with an extended arm during the team's home match against Atalanta in Serie A. The duration of the imposed penalties ranges from one to five years. According to police statements, these bans are not limited to matches played within Italy but also extend to Roma's fixtures outside the country and matches involving the Italian national football team. Furthermore, four of the sanctioned fans will be required to report to police stations during Roma matches. The supporters performed the fascist-style salute in the 'Curva Sud' stand, known for housing the club's most fervent fans, during a match held on the evening of September 5th. Roma won that game 2-1, with Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé scoring the winning goals in the final moments. It is worth noting that the fascist salute is not explicitly prohibited under all circumstances in Italy, as courts assess each incident individually. Prosecution for such acts can occur under laws that forbid the re-establishment of the fascist party and incitement to racial hatred.