Police in Italy are to be permitted to use stun guns as part of new legislation passed on Wednesday.
The Italian senate approved new plans to boost security in and around Italian football stadiums in a move which is also going to cost professional clubs between one and three percent of all gate receipts.
As part of the new measures, hooligans face lengthier bans -- between three and eight years -- from entering stadiums if caught involved in violence inside or outside the stadium, in addition to being forbidden from travelling to away games.
Officers will not only be supplied with the usual riot gear, but during a phase of experimentation, they will also be provided with Taser stun guns "for the carrying out of duties in the interests of public safety."
There were 164 votes in favour and 109 against the legislation which has been welcomed for its substance by the Italian football authorities, but there are concerns over how the policing is now going to be financed by the clubs.
"We appreciate the contents of the new security measures, also because they were substantially agreed between the authorities and those within the game, but that extra tax to cover the costs is unfair," said the president of the Lega Serie A Maurizio Beretta.
Nevertheless, violence has marred the Italian game for many years and steps to eradicate or at least remove the presence of hooligans may well be worth that extra percentage in gate receipts, if it results in a rise in crowd numbers.
Crowd figures have been in decline for many years in Italy with Inter Milan having the biggest average gate last season of just over 46,000. Considering the San Siro holds over 80,000, that still meant there were plenty of empty seats.
A Napoli fan was shot dead by a Roma fan prior to the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina in May and there are growing fears of repercussions when Napoli face Roma in Serie A on Nov. 1.
The new law, which comes into force immediately, could help prevent another negative incident for Italian football.