16 ROMA FANS BANNED FROM STADIUMS OVER FASCIST SALUTE

ROME, SEPTEMBER 16 /SRNA-Reuters/ - A total of 16 Roma fans have been banned from entering stadiums across Italy after making a fascist salute with their right arms extended during a Serie A home match against Atalanta, Rome police said.

Police said the bans range from one to five years and also apply to Roma matches played abroad, as well as national team matches.

According to police, four of the fans will be required to report to police during Roma matches.

The fascist salute was made by fans in the "Curva Sud" section, where the club’s most hardcore supporters gather, during the match played on September 5.

Roma won the match 2-1, with goals from Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé in the closing stages.

Expressions of sympathy for the far right are not uncommon in Italian football among groups of hardcore supporters known as ultras.

Prosecutors have also linked some ultras groups to organized crime and far-right extremist networks.