Como president Suwarso condemns fans' abuse of Inter directors
Como president Mirwan Suwarso has issued a public apology and a stern warning to the club's supporters following abusive behavior directed at Inter Milan's directors during Sunday's Serie A match. In an official statement posted on Instagram, Suwarso described the conduct of some fans in the Sinigaglia stadium's honorary tribune as unacceptable and contrary to the club's core values.
The incident occurred during Como's home match against Inter, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Beyond the expected whistles directed at Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella—who gestured a 'four' with his hand upon substitution, referencing his Scudetto wins—a section of home supporters targeted Inter's executive delegation with verbal abuse and taunts. Suwarso moved swiftly to distance the club's identity from these actions.
"The pride for our performance cannot overcome my disappointment for the behavior shown by some in the honorary tribune towards the opposing delegation," Suwarso wrote. "I understand that football brings intense emotions, but we must never lose sight of who we are. Ours is a club with solid values and dignity is one of the most important. It must extend beyond the pitch, towards our opponents, their fans, and especially their directors and representatives. They are our guests and deserve respect."
The president emphasized that such behavior undermines the project the club is building. "Taunts and insults in the honorary tribune do not represent the club we are building," he stated. "They undermine the very values we defend. We will work to defend these values, with firmness and coherence. We will take the necessary measures to ensure this standard is respected." The statement concluded with a clear ultimatum: "Those who will not be able to respect it will not be welcome."
The public rebuke comes at a pivotal moment for Como, who are enjoying a strong season upon their return to Italy's top flight. Currently competing for a European qualification spot, the club has sought to build a reputation for a positive and ambitious project under Suwarso's ownership. This incident presents a challenge to that carefully cultivated image, highlighting the tension between passionate support and sporting respect.
Serie A has faced ongoing challenges with fan behavior in stadiums this season, with the league issuing fines and sanctions for discriminatory chants and projectiles. While the abuse in this case was directed at officials rather than being racially charged, Suwarso's forceful response aligns with a broader league effort to improve standards. The statement notably focuses on the treatment of guests in a corporate area, suggesting a particular breach of protocol.
The club has not yet specified what concrete measures will be taken, but the warning indicates potential bans for identified individuals. For Como, maintaining discipline off the pitch is now framed as integral to their progress on it, as they aim to solidify their status as a respectable Serie A entity.
