Juventus fans disrupt minute of silence for Italian footballer Sandro Mazzola
Supporters in the Allianz Stadium Curva Sud turned their backs and chanted during a minute of silence honoring former Inter Milan and Italy player Sandro Mazzola ahead of a match against Atalanta.
Pre-match tribute at Allianz Stadium
On Sunday, 20 September 2026, a pre-match minute of silence was held at the Allianz Stadium in Turin to honor the passing of former Italian footballer Sandro Mazzola. The ceremony took place prior to the start of the Serie A championship fixture between Juventus and Atalanta. Mazzola, a former player for Inter Milan and a key figure for the Italian national team, passed away at the age of 83. Football authorities scheduled the formal minute of remembrance across the league to commemorate his sporting career. Ahead of kickoff against the visiting side from Bergamo, the stadium announcer called on all attendees to observe the silence.
Protests and chanting in the Curva Sud
The call for silence was rejected by organized Juventus supporters situated in the Curva Sud of the Allianz Stadium. A substantial portion of the fans in the south stand chose to turn their backs directly away from the playing pitch during the tribute. Rather than pausing their activities, members of the organized bianconeri support continued chanting throughout the entire commemoration period. The vocal chants from the curva were dedicated to former Juventus defender Gaetano Scirea and former club president Gianni Agnelli. These actions generated a clear division inside the venue as the tribute proceeded on the field.
- Minute of silence begins for Sandro Mazzola ahead of Juventus vs Atalanta
- Curva Sud supporters turn backs to the pitch and chant for Gaetano Scirea and Gianni Agnelli
- Spectators across Allianz Stadium applaud in memory of Mazzola before kickoff
Stadium reaction and match start
Despite the disruption centered in the Curva Sud, other spectators across the Allianz Stadium took part in remembering the former Inter Milan forward. As the designated minute of remembrance concluded, many supporters throughout the stadium responded with applause to honor Mazzola's memory. The collective applause brought an end to the pre-game ceremony before the focus shifted to the sporting contest. Following the tribute and the subsequent reaction from the stands, the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta got underway in Turin.
