There will be around a thousand officers who will monitor, this afternoon and this evening, the pro-Palestine demonstrations and the Italy-Israel football match, both scheduled in Udine.
Together with the police, there will be 450 stewards that the FIGC has hired among the staff who normally collaborate with Udinese: they will have the task of carrying out a series of pre-filtering before entering the red zone, which includes most of the arteries around the stadium. It is an impassable area, with fences, bollards and armored vehicles, cleared by the bomb squad.
The city hotel where the visiting team is staying is armored not only by the police and carabinieri, but also by the secret services – Italian and Israeli. Strengthened controls also near the Azzurri’s hotel, where however the atmosphere is one of celebration for the return of the national team after a few years of absence from Friuli.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Nations League: Italy-Israel on the pitch at 8.45pm LIVE – News – Ansa.it ‘Vicario will be on the pitch’ (ANSA)
The police checks for those going to the stadium will begin as soon as they exit the main road: the advice is to arrive at least two hours early, the gates will be open at 6.30pm. The low turnout – 11,700 spectators, out of a capacity of 25 thousand – should avoid long waits.
The mayor of Udine, Alberto Felice De Toni (who had initially denied patronage), the president of the Italy-Israel association of Udine, Giorgio Linda, and the chief rabbi of Trieste, Alexander Meloni, will also attend the race.
For further information, ANSA Italy-Israel Agency, written in Udine against the Municipality and Region – Calcio – Ansa.it “Municipality of Udine complicit in the Palestinian genocide #banIsrael #nopatrocinio”. This is the writing that appeared during the night near Palazzo d’Aronco, seat of the Municipality of Udine, the city that will host the Italy-Israel Nations League match this evening. (HANDLE)
Chaos and Cheer: A Football Evening in Udine
As the sun sets over Udine, a different kind of crowd is gathering this evening. If you thought a mere football match could go unmonitored, think again! With around a thousand officers on duty for the pro-Palestine demonstrations alongside the Italy-Israel football match, one can’t help but chuckle—and cringe—just a bit. I mean, if you get that many officers in one place, you’d think a royal wedding was taking place! Or at least a really good rave.
And yes, the stewards are out in full force—450 of them, to be precise. That’s right, folks! The FIGC has hired a small army of stewards from the ranks of Udinese staff to filter out the well-meaning fans from any troublemakers lurking in the shadows. It’s almost like a security version of entrance exams, where failing to answer the question “Why are you here?” could lead to a swift boot back to your mom’s basement. The “red zone” is basically a fortress—complete with the “Welcome to Udine” sign covered in barbed wire and armored vehicles. In case you were wondering if you have arrived at a football venue or a scene from a Bond movie, you can put away the confusion.
The hotel where the visiting team is staying? Think of it as Fort Knox Lite. Guarded by the police, carabinieri, and even the secret services from Italy and Israel, it’s safe to say their pre-match nap will be anything but peaceful. I mean, with all that security, you could probably drop a tiny atom bomb and we’d still barely notice. It’s comforting to know that just trying to order room service is a high-stakes scenario—but I hear falafel comes at a premium!
Game Day Guide: Arrive Early!
If you’re planning to catch the game, don’t just waltz in ten minutes before kick-off. Police checks will start as soon as you hit the main road, so show up at least two hours early. After all, what’s a little pre-game excitement without standing in what feels like a military checkpoint line? Gates open at 6:30 PM, so plan accordingly unless you want the full Udinese Evolution Experience: hour-long waiting lines followed by a brisk walk to the entrance.
Now, let’s talk attendance—11,700 spectators lined up against a capacity of 25,000. It appears the match might just be more attended by security than by actual fans. But let’s be real, it’s tough to compete with the allure of binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix while sitting in your pajamas.
The guest list also boasts some VIPs: Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni, who initially denied patronage—classic politician move, right?—alongside Giorgio Linda from the Italy-Israel association and the chief rabbi of Trieste, Alexander Meloni. Talk about bringing a diverse crowd! It’s like a live-action version of “Guess Who?” but with more politically charged answers!
A Few Final Words
As the match approaches, things are heating up—both on the pitch and off! Graffiti proclaiming “Municipality of Udine complicit in the Palestinian genocide #banIsrael #nopatrocinio” has cropped up, because, you know, who can resist a bit of politically charged mural art? Lovely conversation starter on your way to the game!
So as the world holds its breath for what should be an exciting evening of football—and perhaps a smidge of chaos—let’s hope for a match that transcends politics and brings people together. But hey, if it doesn’t, at least you’ll have a great story to tell. Just remember: if you see a random guy carrying a surfboard, you’re likely at the wrong event! Now, go forth, armed with knowledge, and enjoy the spectacle that is football in Udine!
