Inter, Marotta on the case of the Porto fans | Champions League

Giuseppe Marotta, once again, proves that he cares about the case of the fans who were excluded from the Do Dragao stadium in Porto on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the second leg match of the Champions League round of 16. Despite the efforts of the managing director himself, despite the morning meeting which seemed to have found a solution to the problem raised by the Portuguese authorities: “It was an unfortunate and deplorable fact – Marotta explains to TeleLombardy – which we condemned. Today we forwarded a request for an investigative act to UEFA: in the morning we held a meeting and although there was a public order problem, the agreement was to let the fans in more slowly, but we were allowed to. Porto was the only one who could make a decision. This was ignored when the fans showed up at the stadium.”

The tricks

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In short, the case is far from resolved despite the official note released yesterday by UEFA: “From a regulatory point of view, a sector 5% of the stadium had to be reserved for Inter. This was done and the tickets were purchased by our fans.” Marotta then continues with the explanation: “For the sake of truth, Porto had indicated on the site that Italian fans shouldn’t have bought other tickets in other sectors, but the other fans residing in Europe bought them and no one finished not buy them. But once purchased, Porto must take charge of them, perhaps even with the support of Inter, who made available about fifteen stewards who were there to ensure safety. But they were also families, mothers and children: it is very far from the scenes of Naples or of danger for public order”.

In Milan

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During the interview, the managing director also explains how the situation would not have occurred – and has not occurred – at Giuseppe Meazza: “We believe that sport is an instrument of aggregation – continues Marotta -, beyond faith. The important thing is that everyone is guaranteed entry with all the precautions. In this case, fans were invited to show up without banners, worn shirts that could be identifiable. Porto has stepped back and contravened what was decided in meeting held in the morning between the clubs, the forces of order and the UEFA representatives”. And then a promise to the Inter supporters involved in the misfortune: “There are the elements to arrive at a class action, we as a club will do everything possible to protect our fans in the competent offices. We are evaluating what initiative to take to alleviate the disappointment, especially to children: we try to map in order to contribute in part to experiencing the emotions they did not experience that evening”.

Thanks

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Finally, there is also a mention of the good things achieved on the field with access to the round of 16: “The main credit goes to those who take the field and to the coach. The work that has been done has given these results: the The club must support them in the best possible way and we guarantee this, our presence on the pitch is daily. We want to put the players in a position to perform at their best without having excuses, which are bad in football.” An alibi that the team didn’t have to look for in Portugal thanks to the heroic resistance of Do Dragao: “The players gave their all and achieved a very important goal that brings us back to a stage that reflects the history of this club and its palmarès “.