Como's new stadium policy sparks fan backlash

Como, the surprise package of last season's Serie A who qualified for the Champions League, have sparked a row with their own supporters over a controversial new stadium policy, the Guardian reports. The club has told fans they must not miss more than three home games in a season, or risk losing their ticket rights.

The policy, defended by the club's chairman, has drawn sharp criticism from supporters' groups who say it punishes exactly the loyal fans who helped build the club's recent rise. One fan group told the Guardian that supporters are 'terrified' of the new rules.

Como's ascent from Serie B to the Champions League in two seasons has made them one of European football's most-watched projects, with the club's ownership investing heavily in the squad and the lakeside city's global appeal. The new policy appears aimed at ensuring the stadium remains full for every match.

The Guardian's report quotes a fan representative saying supporters are 'terrified' by the policy, which the club's chairman defends as necessary to maintain the matchday atmosphere and ensure tickets go to those who will actually attend. The club argues that empty seats hurt the team and the city's image as it prepares for European nights.

The row comes at a delicate moment for Como, who will play Champions League football for the first time in their history. The club's rapid rise has been driven by significant foreign investment, and the new attendance rules are seen by some observers as an attempt to professionalise the club's operations to match its new European status.

Supporters' groups, however, argue the policy is heavy-handed and fails to account for legitimate reasons fans might miss matches, such as work, illness or travel. The Guardian reports that fan organisations are planning to raise their concerns directly with the club, and the dispute shows no sign of abating ahead of the new season.

For Italian football more broadly, the Como dispute highlights a growing tension between clubs' commercial ambitions and the traditions of Italian fan culture, where supporters often see themselves as custodians of a club's identity rather than mere customers. How Como resolves the standoff will be watched closely by other Serie A clubs considering similar measures.