Venice parents fined after children play football in public square

Officials in Venice fined the parents of 14 children who were playing football in the Campo Pino Signoretto square on the island of Murano, a case that underscores the city’s strict public-space rules. The children, aged 10 to 13, were outdoors when authorities say the activity violated regulations that bar ball games in public areas that could disturb others. Each parent received a €50 fine, with penalties potentially rising to as much as €500 if not paid within 60 days.

Public disturbance complaints prompted local police to respond and record the identities of the youths. A week later, officers summoned the parents to the police station to issue the fines. The episode has sparked a broader debate over enforcement of the city’s ball-game ban and what constitutes reasonable recreation for children in public spaces.

Regulations introduced in 2019 ban ball games in public areas across the city, with San Bernardo square on Murano cited as the island’s only square where such activities are permitted. The parents argued that Campo Pino Signoretto was not included on the list of banned zones because it is a relatively new square. In the wart of disagreement, Marco Gasparinetti, a city councillor, criticized the heavy-handed response on social media, asking whether authorities would rather target other street issues instead of engaging in a more balanced approach to children’s play. He wrote that the situation reflected a lack of prioritization and common sense.

One of the fathers, Antonio Trampus, told La Stampa that his son rang him in tears after the incident. He said the police would not listen to reason and that officers could have called the parents to take their children home instead of immediately recording their names and addresses. Trampus added that he plans to contest the fine and raise the matter with Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, arguing that a more educational approach would have been appropriate.

The dispute drew commentary from Paolo Poggi, a retired professional footballer born in Venice, who urged a return to practical balance. Poggi said that while rules must be respected, there should be room for common sense that promotes children’s physical development and well-being. He noted that soccer schools cannot be the sole source of physical education and argued that the city should adjust its rules to accommodate safe, supervised play rather than stifle children’s activities.

Officials have stressed that the €50 fine could rise to €500 if not paid within 60 days, and the case remains a point of contention as families and local officials reassess how to reconcile public-order rules with opportunities for youth recreation. The incident has intensified a broader conversation about how cities enforce restrictions in busy urban spaces while ensuring that children can still engage in healthy, supervised outdoor activities. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on possible changes to the policy, but supporters of more flexible enforcement say the episode could catalyze a review of where and when ball games are allowed. In the meantime, the families involved are weighing their legal options while the public ponders the best path to balance safety, order, and childhood play in a dense, historic city.