Como, one of the standout stories of last season's Serie A, have found themselves at the center of controversy after unveiling a set of stringent new stadium policies that have unsettled a portion of their fanbase.
The club, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, announced on Monday that supporters who miss more than three home matches without providing what the club deems a valid reason could have their season tickets revoked. A separate rule also prohibits fans from wearing the colors, shirts or scarves of visiting teams anywhere inside the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium, except within the designated away section.
Como's chairman, Mirwan Suwarso, defended the changes in a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, explaining that the club wanted to prioritize genuine supporters given the surge in demand for tickets. "Demand for tickets far exceeds supply and, for that reason, I asked the club to find ways to ensure tickets for the [Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium] end up in the hands of genuine Como supporters – those who want to be there to back the team," he said.
Suwarso pointed to past incidents where visiting supporters had reportedly celebrated within areas of the stadium designated for home fans, at the expense of loyal Como followers who could not secure entry. "There have been too many occasions when away fans have celebrated inside our home sections, while Como supporters, who would have proudly backed the team, were unable to get a ticket," he explained.
Regarding the restriction on rival club apparel, the chairman framed it as a matter of safety and atmosphere rather than punishment. He described his vision for the Sinigaglia as a welcoming yet fiercely supportive environment. "Our aim is to make the Sinigaglia the true home of our fans and a fortress for our team," Suwarso said, adding, "We want to ensure the Sinigaglia remains a place where grandparents feel comfortable bringing their grandchildren, where families can enjoy football together, and where passion never crosses the line into disrespect."
Despite the club's reasoning, the announcement triggered a wave of criticism from supporters online, many of whom argued the policy fails to account for legitimate reasons fans might miss matches, such as work obligations, illness or family duties, without it reflecting any lack of devotion to the team.
Local newspaper La Provincia reported being inundated with calls and messages from worried season-ticket holders following the announcement. The publication noted that concerns ranged from health issues to adverse weather conditions and frequent work travel, describing an anxious fanbase uncertain about the fate of their tickets. "They are terrified and all asking the same question: will our season tickets be taken away?" the paper wrote.
National outlet Corriere della Sera also captured the frustration circulating on social media, citing one supporter who mockingly questioned the need for formal excuses, asking, "Do we need to be accompanied by our parents when we hand in our excuse, like at school?"
The backlash comes at a moment of significant transformation for the club. Only a few years ago, in the 2018-19 season, Como were playing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football, having gone through bankruptcy twice within the previous fifteen years. Their rapid rise culminated last season in a fourth-place Serie A finish, an achievement that earned them a first-ever place in the Champions League and turned the small northern Italian club into one of the league's most talked-about success stories.
How the club navigates the tension between protecting its matchday atmosphere and maintaining supporter goodwill remains to be seen as the new rules take effect.
Based on reporting from The Guardian, La Provincia and Corriere della Sera.