San Siro, home of Serie A clubs Inter Milan and AC Milan, has rolled out facial recognition technology as part of plans to identify fans who cause disturbances inside the stadium.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports that the technology has been developed by computer vision solutions firm Reco 3.26. The technology has been in place for two weeks in the Curva stands of San Siro and in the away section.
Upon entry to the stadium, fans will have their photographs taken twice. Fan photos will be matched against the name printed on the ticket, with the information to be stored on a system that is only accessible by the local police.
La Repubblica reports that the technology will be used to identify fans who sing racist chants or throw objects towards the pitch.
Luigi De Servio, chief executive of Lega Serie A, has previously expressed his desire for all top-tier stadiums in Italy to be fitted with facial recognition technology to combat racism.
The technology is also used at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico and has previously been trialled at Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium.
Last week, AC Milan and Inter Milan confirmed the submission to the Municipality of Milan of an acquisition proposal for San Siro, and a feasibility plan for a new stadium.
