Police have fined parents of 14 children for playing football in a Murano square, sparking a debate on outdoor play.
The children, aged 12 and 13, were reported by a resident who complained about noise in Pino Signoretto square. Police identified each child and issued €50 fines to their parents. The penalties could rise to €500 if unpaid within 60 days.
Authorities said the game was played in a prohibited area and caused a disturbance to public peace. Parents argue the square was not listed among banned areas and plan to appeal to the mayor.
“My son called me in tears,” said Antonio Trampus, one parent. “The police wouldn’t listen. They could have called us instead.”
The rules, introduced in 2019, ban ball games in several Venetian squares. In Murano, only San Bernardo square is officially approved, but parents say it is unsuitable for children.
The case has drawn criticism from local councillor Marco Gasparinetti. “Were they scammers? Pickpockets? Drug dealers? No, they were parents of 14 children [playing football],” he wrote on Facebook. He said police could have simply confiscated the ball.
Former Venice footballer Paolo Poggi also weighed in. “Long live children who spend time outdoors. The rules are sacrosanct, but common sense is needed.”
