Fan power shows its might in Italy

By Mark Meadows

MILAN (Reuters) - Woe betide football clubs who ignore the views of their supporters.

Italian top-flight side Atalanta decided to re-sign former striker Christian Vieri during the close season and unwittingly unleashed a wave of protests from angry fans.

The ex-Italy international played for the Bergamo side two years ago but then quit to join the more glamorous Fiorentina.

After a largely unsuccessful season in Florence, the much-travelled forward has ended up back at Atalanta but the supporters are far from impressed.

Around 50 fans gathered at the training ground to heckle the 34-year-old Vieri on his first day back at the club.

A huge banner criticising his perceived lack of loyalty and humility was unveiled and some fans surrounded his car.

It was not the usual welcome a new signing receives at a club but Vieri was unperturbed.

"These things don't interest me. Everyone is entitled to think what they like. It is not a problem, " he told reporters. "But I did not expect a reaction like that from the fans."