Protests over football matches escalate in Giro d'Italia streets, featuring "Cairo Leave" on displayed signs.
Ongoing Torino Football Club Protests Against Club Ownership
Thousands of Torino Football Club (FC) supporters have taken to the streets in protest, demonstrating against the current ownership of the club over a week following the end of the championship. The unrest shows no signs of abating and has extended from football stadiums onto the routes of the Giro d'Italia, an event organized by Urbano Cairo, the club's owner who also heads RCS MediaGroup.
Protest messages have been spotted along the Giro d'Italia route, from the south to the north, including in Abruzzo and Emilia-Romagna. Today's stage from Verres to Sestriere marked the peak of the ongoing conflict, with banners and signs reading "Cairo Leave" lining the route and even appearing on large bedsheets hanging from balconies.
From the Canavese region to the metropolitan area of Turin, and up to the Colle delle Finestre and the final climb in Alta Val di Susa, Torino fans made their voices heard. Even in Meana, a banner "Cairo: Enough" reappeared in Piazza San Carlo, remaining prominently displayed for over a week before being removed by the Superintendency.
Many black and white flags were also displayed, a symbol of the pride of a fanbase that, despite their discontent and the team's recent mediocre season, remains loyal to their colors.
Reports suggest that widespread fan dissatisfaction with club ownership is the primary cause of the protests. Torino's demonstrations mirror similar movements seen in Italian football, such as those by AC Milan fans against RedBird Capital’s ownership. The unrest reflects sustained frustration among fans, with no indication that the protests have been resolved or the ownership situation changed.
While the impact on RCS MediaGroup and the Giro d'Italia is indirect, the protests contribute to a tense atmosphere around Italian sports ownership and management. The protests could potentially influence media perception and sponsor interest in related sectors, similar to the AC Milan fan protests that made international headlines, affecting the public image of Italian sports entities and potential sponsors.
However, there is no concrete evidence from available data to suggest that Torino FC’s protests have caused operational issues or disruptions to the Giro d’Italia event or RCS's business activities at this time.
Fans of Torino Football Club have expanded their protests from football stadiums to the routes of the Giro d'Italia, notably displaying banners opposing the club's owner, Urbano Cairo, during the stage from Verres to Sestriere. The ongoing demonstrations, influenced by the owners' tenure, mirror those seen in other European leagues, such as Serie A's AC Milan, where fan dissatisfaction with ownership is a significant factor.
