«The party of Italy on the bus? It was forbidden. The FIGC did not respect the agreements »- Corriere.it

The prefect of Rome Matteo Piantedosi: they had assured us a platform in Piazza del Popolo. Blocking them with the crowd would have created problems of public order

«We had denied permission to celebrate Italy’s victory in the European Championships on the open bus, but the agreements have not been respected ». The prefect of Rome Matteo Piantedosi he does not hide the bitterness for what happened last Monday and “for the possible consequences that could occur in the next few weeks, despite the great work done”.
Wasn’t it supposed to be celebrating?
«Yes of course. But in different ways ».
Come?
«Last Friday we convened a committee for order and security. I had agreed the line with the Minister of the Interior Luciana Lamorgese and with the police chief Lamberto Giannini. The meeting was just to decide what to do and for this reason we also directly involved the FIGC ».
What were the agreements?
«The FIGC asked to allow the athletes of the National team to go around Rome on an open bus, but it was clearly explained that it was not possible. We said we couldn’t authorize them. ‘
Why?
«We had to manage the passage from the Quirinale to Palazzo Chigi trying to reconcile it with the security needs linked to the pandemic and thus avoiding gatherings in any way “.
Were there alternatives?
«On Monday morning, the FIGC has proposed various solutions, the last of which is to use a platform to be assembled in Piazza del Popolo, in the center of Rome, where the players can be picked up and in this way they could celebrate with the fans ».
Have you authorized it?
“Yes, we felt it could be a viable mediation for us it made it possible to keep crowds under control in one place, also verifying that people wore masks as required by the decree in force when there are gatherings ».
And instead?
«In the early afternoon of Monday we had other direct contacts with the FIGC staff who renewed the request to be able to use the open bus. We explained to everyone that the evaluations had not changed ».
However, the platform had not been mounted.
«We thought they would have made the players stop in front of Palazzo Chigi after the meeting with the Prime Minister Mario Draghi. We were assured that the transfer would take place in a covered bus. Instead, shortly after leaving the Quirinale an open-top bus with the livery and writings dedicated to the European champions joined up ».
Have you spoken to the staff of President Gravina?
“Of course, and they claimed that there was already a lot of crowds on the streets and it was the strong intention of the players to continue the celebrations with a ride on an open bus.”
Couldn’t you stop him?
“There were thousands of people waiting for the bus ride, banning it could have created problems of public order.”
Is it true that it was the players who wanted it?
«I understand that Chiellini and Bonucci represented their intention with determination to staff on duty order; at that point it was not possible to do anything but take note of the situation and manage it in the best possible way. The complexity and delicacy is evidenced by the images from which it can be seen that practically only the police forces wore the mask. Everything that has happened has deeply embittered us; for a year now, even in the most difficult periods, in Rome we have always tried to apply anti-covid measures by stimulating the collaboration of citizens and productive categories rather than imposing draconian measures ».
He has heard more Gravina or someone from the FIGC?
“No, because I am still embittered by the lack of respect for the great commitment of the police headquarters and all the police forces. I hope that Italy will win the World Cup next year to have the same celebrations: on that occasion we will deal directly with the players ».

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