Napoli ends to stay closed for Juve

| Wed, 10/15/2008 - 03:42

The ends of Napoli's San Paolo stadium will remain closed for Saturday night's match with Juventus despite pleas from the club.

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said Tuesday it was not qualified to lift the ban inflicted by soccer authorities after a rampage by Napoli fans on the first day of the season.

The ban will therefore run its course until October 20, CONI said.

After the ruling, a group of conservative senators appealed to Naples Prefect Alessandro Pansa to let season-ticket holders into the end stands to avert possible trouble outside the ground.

The ends are normally occupied by hard-core fans and are usually where any fights tend to break out.

Saturday's game with 1980s title rival Juve is a hot ticket in Naples, especially with the club standing sixth in Serie A, just two behind joint leaders Lazio, Inter Milan and Udinese.

Juve, one of the pre-season scudetto tips, is in 11th spot, two points behind Napoli.

The Napoli-Juve game is one of two big matches this weekend.

The other is on Sunday night when Roma, struggling in 14th place, host champions Inter.

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