This Italian game is a combination of soccer, football and bare-knuckle fighting and was first played over 500 years ago.
Calcio fiorentino (or calico storico) is an Italian game that combines soccer, football, and bare-knuckle fighting.
First played over 500 years ago, it started as a game reserved for the rich and ruling class. Hell, even Popes played the game.
It was revived in the 1930’s as a mini-tournament between the four quadrants of the city of Florence.
The rules are similar to any goal-based game with team trying to get through their opponent and net the ball.
However, punching, kicking, elbowing, and head butting are allowed, so it’s not particularly easy to score.
Teams are 26 a side with no subs (that’s a lot of punching) and are refereed by a team of seven in order to keep the relative peace.
The game is started with a cannon blast, and after 50 minutes of combat, a winner is declared.
A Chianina, which is a really badass cow.