piazza signoria
Crystal Palace fans have ended up making a mockery of Florence’s city-wide lockdown, with no issues reported before the clash with Fiorentina.
Firenze Viola report on the situation in Florence today, including photos of various Crystal Palace fans enjoying their visit to the Italian city.
Florence under lockdown
Sport Witness covered reports yesterday on how Florence had essentially gone into lockdown before Crystal Palace fans arrive.
1,300 Crystal Palace fans have travelled for the Europa Conference League clash, and the Italians were taking no chances.
Authorities had taken various over the top measures for the arrival, operating under reinforced security from this morning.
The plans include police in riot gear, while municipal teams have installed anti‑ram barriers around various monuments in the city.
These protections will remain in place from 8AM Wednesday to midnight on Thursday. The plan is to create a secure perimeter designed to prevent vandalism or accidental damage. For 48 hours, Florence is operating as a ‘fortified city’.
Crystal Palace fans behave
Those fears have been completely unfounded, though. Firenze Viola report Crystal Palace fans have added nothing but colour to Florence since yesterday.
They have adorned the area around Santa Maria Novella in their club’s colours, singing chants and enjoying themselves in high spirits. It’s all very fun, as it should be.
The police have confirmed this too, reporting that their presence ‘has caused no disturbances whatsoever’. Some Crystal Palace fans have even been spotted walking around, some on their own, proudly wearing shirts and scarves.
All in all, it seems that the vibe is a positive one.
Crystal Palace fans are enjoying their European adventure and the chance to visit one of Italy’s best cities. They seemingly have no intention of causing any trouble, perhaps to the surprise of the Italian authorities.