Historical Florentine football – in pictures
Calcio storico fiorentino (historical Florentine football) is an early form of football that originated in 16th-century Italy. Once widely played, the sport is thought to have started in the Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. There it became known as the Florentine kick game or simply calcio; which is now also the name for association football in the Italian language
-
Players take part in the game of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, a traditional soccer match played in costume in FlorencePhotograph: Claudio Giovannini/EPA
-
Players arrive on Piazza Santa Croce for the final match of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Historical Florentine Football) on Piazza Santa Croce in FlorencePhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
Players prepare for the final matchPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
Players compete during the final matchPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
-
Players tussle during the final matchPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
Red team supporters cheerPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
Players compete during the final matchPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
A close tackle during the final matchPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
-
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Historical Florentine Football) was initially played by the Italian aristocracy. Even popes are known to have taken partPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino declined in popularity in the 1600s but interest in the game revived under MussoliniPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
The final match of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Historical Florentine Football) is played on San Giovanni (St John)’s Day, 24 JunePhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
A game of Calcio Storico Fiorentino usually takes about 50 minutesPhotograph: Claudio Giovannini/EPA
-
-
Players compete during the final matchPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
Calcio Storico Fiorentino can turn violent; however, a player may not be attacked by more than one other player at a timePhotograph: Claudio Giovannini/EPA
-
Head-butting, punching, elbowing and choking are permitted in a game – but not kicking (opponents)Photograph: Claudio Giovannini/EPA
-
Team strategy in a game usually involves trying to tire out opponents by fighting themPhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
-
-
Each side fields 27 players in a game – no substitutions are allowedPhotograph: Claudio Giovannini/EPA
-
Red Team players celebrate at the end of the final match on Piazza Santa Croce in FlorencePhotograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
View all comments >