Venice Parents Hit With Fines As Kids’ Kickabout Sparks City-wide Row

Venice constabulary person fined nan parents of 14 children for playing shot successful a nationalist square, sparking a heated statement astir rules, communal consciousness and children’s correct to play.

Children fined for kicking a shot successful Murano

Italy is known for its passion for football, but successful Venice that emotion collided pinch nan missive of nan rule earlier this month. A group of 14 children, each aged 12 and 13, were enjoying a kickabout successful Pino Signoretto quadrate connected Murano land erstwhile a resident complained astir nan noise.

Police officers soon arrived, identified each kid and ordered their parents to salary a €50 fine. The charismatic study accused nan youngsters of disturbing nationalist bid and creating a consequence to passers-by.

Parents, however, were outraged. Antonio Trampus, begetter of 1 of nan children, said his boy was near successful tears. “They could person simply called america to cod them, but alternatively they took down their names arsenic if they were criminals,” he told Italian regular La Stampa.

If unpaid, nan good could emergence to €500 wrong 60 days, but respective families person vowed to appeal, insisting they won’t pay.

Rules vs reality successful Venice squares

The fines were based connected regulations introduced successful 2019 banning shot games successful astir Venetian squares. Murano only allows shot successful San Bernardo quadrate – but parents reason that this abstraction is unsuitable and that Pino Signoretto wasn’t moreover listed among restricted areas since it was created only precocious during redevelopment works.

“San Bernardo doesn’t activity arsenic a play area, while nan caller quadrate is perfect,” Trampus added. “Taking children distant would mean turning it backmost into an quiet space.”

The lawsuit has exposed deeper tensions successful Venice, a metropolis already battling overtourism, lodging shortages and a shrinking section population. Critics opportunity chasing aft children playing shot seems disproportionate erstwhile nan metropolis faces acold greater problems.

Local councillor Marco Gasparinetti mocked nan heavy-handed attack connected Facebook: “Were they scammers? Pickpockets? Drug dealers? No, they were parents of 14 children.” He based on it would person been much sensible to confiscate nan shot and explicate nan rules alternatively than rumor fines.

Public statement complete communal sense

The communicative has sparked a activity of commentary crossed Venice and beyond. Some residents insist that rules must beryllium followed to protect historical sites, while others telephone nan reward a lawsuit of misplaced priorities.

Even erstwhile master footballer Paolo Poggi, who grew up successful Venice, weighed in. “Long unrecorded children who walk clip outdoors,” he said. “Rules are important, but communal consciousness matters too. Childhood play must beryllium preserved.”

For now, nan families are preparing their entreaty and waiting to spot if nan city’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, will intervene. The statement has go a awesome of nan balancing enactment betwixt protecting Venice’s vulnerable practice and safeguarding nan elemental joys of childhood.

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