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Francesco Totti has been invited to the Scampia district of Naples in a bid to reduce tensions between Napoli and Roma fans ahead of their game in Serie A this weekend. Saturday's game at the Stadio San Paolo has been brought forward to 14:00 local time to ensure it takes place in daylight with fears there could be serious crowd problems, being the first meeting since a Napoli fan, Ciro Esposito, was killed by a Roma ultra, Daniele De Santis, prior to last May's Coppa Italia final. Roma's team have been advised to arrive by plane rather than by train to reduce the chances of them coming into contact with Napoli fans, and police forces are on the highest level of alert. Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has made a plea for football to make the headlines before, during and after the match and to that end, the president of the Scampia town council has invited Totti to visit Esposito's grave, along with his mother who lives in the district, as a strong gesture to both groups of fans. "The time for talking and exploitation is over, it's time to move on to actual facts and gestures and human solidarity," said Angelo Pisani. "Totti is a great champion, as well as being a great man, and I am convinced that he is a symbol of Italian football and the only person who could do something which would be received by fans of all clubs in Italy. "Dear Totti, come to Scampia to mamma Antonella and go together with her to visit Ciro at the cemetery." De Santis is currently in custody after admitting to shooting Esposito, who died of his injuries less than two months after the cup final, which was won by Napoli. Four other Roma fans were arrested for their involvement in the incidents which overshadowed the cup final, while arrests were also made among Napoli fans who were with Esposito at the time of the shooting. Esposito's mother Antonella has yet to decide whether she will attend Saturday's game, although she too has called for "peace and love" rather than violence. "My brothers, who share my faith, have prepared a fantastic banner which invites people to combat violence with love, and I hope they will be allowed to display it," she told Il Messaggero. "I would be pleased if, in place of the violence that is currently in the stadiums, love could take its place." Roma fans have been banned from making the trip to Naples, but that is unlikely to deter those with bad intentions. "I was really hoping that we could find peace, yet it seems the trail of violence which led to my son being killed has not yet ended," continued Antonella Esposito. "On Saturday, I expect something beautiful from the Napoli fans so that a new road can be opened which leads to the stadium being open for both sets of fans for the next game between the two sides."
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