'I went to watch football in Italy – you'll never believe what they served at half time'

Football fans can't believe the food at SSC Bari in Italy (stock) (Image: Getty)

Football-loving Brits have admitted their shock after learning what's on the half time menu at Italy's Serie B club, Bari.

Located in the south east of the country, Bari is a coastal city on the Adriatic Sea and therefore seafood is very popular. Whilst it's most famous dish is the oven-baked patate, riso e cozze (potatoes with rice and mussels), it's another delicacy that is causing a stir online. 

The meal in question - on sale for a reasonable €8 (£6.65 approx.) - has been shared across various social media platforms, most notably Facebook's Football Away Days account. With an accompanying snap, the account penned: "Octopus sandwich at Italian club SSC Bari. €8.00."

One Facebook user wrote from experience: "Very popular in Bari, which has a distinct cuisine to the rest of Italia. So delicious, loved it as well many other sandwiches there."

A second agreed: "Worked in Bari for a year in the early 90s. The food in the city, and the whole region of Puglia, is absolutely incredible." A third raved: "It’s in Italy so there's a high chance that for 8 euros you could have the most delicious meal you've had in your entire life." 

Whilst a fourth gushed: "Why do Italians just get it right with food... every single time." Others weren't so keen, however, including one Facebook user who hit out: " I’d rather do a day's work then eat that."7

Whilst a second added: "Very clever animal. Wouldn't eat it. Probably a bigger IQ then most humans who eat 'em."

In homage to it's delicacy, meanwhile, SSC Bari released two limited edition football shirts in 2023 - each featuring an octopus print. Manufactured by Kappa in collaboration with designer Leo Colacicco,  a red and white striped shirt saw the inclusion of a subtle tentacle print in the background, whilst the goalkeeper teal edition featured much more prominent tentacle swirls covering the design.

"Just collected both Bari octopus limited edition shirts - I AM DONE," declared one proud owner on X. 

Another penned their own post: " Curious about everyone's favourite modern football shirt in their collection. The word modern is of course debatable, but let's say a shirt from the past ten years. Mine is the Bari octopus shirt."

A third football fan hailed the shirt with their own photo: "Bari 2023 by Kappa. Octopus tentacles as part of the design. Retro collar. A thing of beauty." And a fourth praised: "This SSC Bari Limited Edition Kappa x LC23 pre match shirt is stunning. Check out the incredibly detailed octopus pattern throughout, with the cephalopod a symbol of the city of Bari."