Fiorentina fans skip first half of Bologna clash in protest at club’s owners

FIORENTINA fans boycotted the first-half of their Serie A clash against Bologna in protest against their billionaire owners.

The Fiorentina Supporters Association (ATF) arranged the stunt to send a message to Tod’s shoes moguls Andrea and Diego Della Valle – the mega-rich brothers who own the club.

The brothers bought Fiorentina in 2002 after the club had been declared bankrupt and relegated to the fourth tier of Italian football.

But, the ATF accuse the businessmen of failing to invest in the club and its squad since they took over.

Supporters taking part in the stunt remained in the concourse underneath the stand for the first 45 minutes before returning to their seats for the second-half.

The ATF posted on their Facebook page before the game to make their feelings clear.

The statement read: “We have registered a single united front – critical of an ownership guilty of having abandoned our beloved Fiorentina for years.

“The next concrete move Fiorentina’s organised fan-base will make is to leave seats empty during the opening 45 minutes of Sunday’s match against Bologna.

“This is a sign of the broken relationship with the Della Valle brothers which will certainly not go unnoticed.

“We invite everyone who has chosen for some time to protest by joining us in buying a ticket and leaving the stadium deserted.

“This is an important moment which will set in motion a series of initiatives therefore your presence is fundamental.

“In the second-half fans will go back up to their seats to support the guys on the pitch – for the shirt and for those who still believe.

“ATF and all the organisations involved will look at new forms of protest to put in motion.

“This is only the beginning.

“For Florence, for Fiorentina fans.”