The Calcio Storico – ‘historic football’ – is an ancient form of football and rugby from 16th century Italy.   Once widely played but interest in Calcio waned in the early 17th century and nowadays it’s played exclusively in Florence.

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Rules

It’s played in teams of 27,  and no substitutions are allowed for injured or expelled players.  Players use both feet and hands and tripping and tackling, headbutting, punching, elbowing, and choking are all allowed.  However due to fatalities over the years, sucker punches and kicks to the head are currently banned.   It is also prohibited for more than one player to attack an opponent. Any violation leads to being expelled from the game.  In 2014, the rules regarding participation in the tournament were changed, so only people born in Florence or who have lived in the area for at least ten years can take part.

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The Game

Matches last 50 minutes and are played on a field covered in sand, twice as long as it is wide (approximately 80×40 meters). A white line divides the field into two identical squares, and a goal net runs the width of each end.  The referee and the six linesmen officiate the match in collaboration with the Judge Commissioner, who remains off the field. The referee, above everyone else, is the Master of the Field, and is responsible for making sure the game runs smoothly, stepping into the field only to maintain discipline and reestablish order when fights occur

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Each team has 27 players and no substitutions are allowed for injured or expelled players.

 

Competing

Source – Wikipedia

In modern times Calcio is only played in Florence, there are three matches played each year in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence in the 3rd week of June. A team from each quartiere of the city is represented:

  • Santa Croce / Azzurri (Blues)
  • Santa Maria Novella / Rossi (Reds)
  • Santo Spirito / Bianchi (Whites)
  • San Giovanni / Verdi (Greens)

After playing each other in two opening games, the two overall winners go into the yearly final on June 24, better known as San Giovanni (St. John)’s Day, the Patron Saint of Florence.

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