Minute's silence for Agroppi in Italy, not Riyadh

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 2 - A minute's silence in memory of Serie A midfielder and coach Algo Agroppi, who died Thursday aged 80, will only be observed in Italy and not in Riyadh, where a match between Inter and Atalanta will kick off the final four of the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
    The Serie A league said the decision was taken out of respect for Agroppi's memory and to avoid boos at the stadium given it is not a local custom to observe a minute of silence for the dead which is instead considered offensive.
    Observing it would be perceived as a provocation, the league explained.
    One year ago during the Super Cup, in the second half of the final match, the minute's silence in memory of Gigi Riva, the Italy legend who died at 79 after suffering a heart attack, was covered in boos.
    The same had happened a few days before, also in Riyadh, before the semifinal march of the Spanish super Cup between Real Madrid and Atletico, when the homage for former West Germany captain and manager Franz Beckenbauer was also opposed by the public.
    (ANSA).