Cagliari versus Roma postponed

Cagliari’s match with Roma on Sunday has been cancelled following a stand-off between the club and local authorities.

The Is Arenas was opened by Cagliari in the off-season but is yet to pass security tests, meaning local authorities insisted the Serie A clash must take place behind closed doors.

Club president Massimo Cellino had urged fans to ignore the authorities and attend regardless.

A club statement released this week said: “Cagliari Calcio, represented by President Massimo Cellino and everyone who works for the club, can no longer see a future due to the bureaucratic difficulties and the collective disinterest of the authorities.

“We invite and ask all their fans who have a ticket or season ticket to come to the stadium and watch Cagliari-Roma in the full respect of order and civility.

“Cagliari Calcio and its engineers consider the structure to be adequate and secure.

“This move is absolutely peaceful and was pushed by the pain and frustration of defending our right to exist.”

But the club’s provocative stance has prompted police and local authorities to be postpone the fixture following emergency meetings late Saturday.