A few days before the whistle blows between the two teams Virtus Bologna and Maccabi Tel Aviv at PalaDozza in the city of Bologna, mayor Matteo Lepore gave in to pressure from antagonistic groups. Social centers and casual groups Pros, friend they are ready to demonstrate against the Euroleague sporting event and make threats serious disorder had the match not been cancelled. Conditions were created as seen a month ago in Udine during the match between Italy and Israel. There is an intention from the Ministry of Home Affairs not to back down and not give in to violent groups who continue to try to dictate the political agenda.
“As mayor I would like to reiterate my strong opinion worry for the Virtus-Maccabi match scheduled at PalaDozza on November 21. There are no conditions of public order in my opinion to manage this event calmly. The risk to the safety of citizens, shops and the city is very high“, said the mayor in a note. The radical and extreme left, represented by social centers and antagonists, are used to dealing with both good and bad weather in Bologna which, not without reason, is defined as “The Reds”. But during these two years the complaints have become more frequent and destructive and now, after appealing to the demonstrators for calm, inviting them not to use violence, which was clearly rejected, Mayor Lepore washed his hands and instead of using institutional force asked that the event be at least moved to another location and also during the day.”We still have time for that move the match to another date and location. I ask Minister Piantedosi to reconsider for the good of everyone“, the Mayor concluded his note. In his words there seemed to be a desire to shift all responsibility to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, retreating in the face of threats of violence.
But minister Matteo Piantedosion the sidelines of the 2026 firefighters’ calendar presentation in Rome, decided to keep the poles straight to send an important signal to the usual complaints of troublemakers: The country is not giving up.The game is over for us, there is no reason why it should not be done.
It is not a group of people threatening violence that can dictate the agenda of public events in any city“, said Piantedosi, who in the last few days has emphasized that his hopes should not be forced”well raise troops to withstand repeated episodes of violence“. The Bologna government continues to look weak with antagonistic fringe groups, especially since they have many votes for the left.
