MILAN, March 29 – Inter Milan`s “Curva Nord” (North Curve, the ultras section) is staging a protest: they will not be cheering for the first 20 minutes of upcoming matches due to recent `repressions` and rising ticket prices.
“Months have passed since the events that severely impacted our curva,” the organized fan group stated in a note. “Months in which we reorganized to preserve the history of an ultras movement born over 55 years ago. Months in which we persevered, continuing our path while navigating repression and absurd bans.”
“For months, we have been prohibited from displaying any banners on the barriers,” the statement continues, “we have been prevented from creating any kind of choreography, and we have had to endure a shameful increase in ticket prices, both at home and away. After months, we still haven`t been told why group banners and our flags cannot be brought into the stadium.”
“Following the latest meeting between groups, we have decided that the time has come to begin expressing our dissent. Therefore, starting from the next match, we will observe a silent protest during the first 20 minutes of each game. Repression and exorbitant costs are eroding our passion: we cannot stand idly by. The prices imposed for the matches against Feyenoord and Bayern Munich were the last straw.”
“We are not asking for privileges, favoritism, or anything else; it is not in our interest, and it never will be as long as we are here,” the Curva concludes. “We are only asking to be free to support.”