Yeah, That’s Not Good, Or: And So the Reputation Slips

By: Martha | November 13th, 2007

Bloody hell. [If you're looking for information on the death of Gabriele Sandri and subsequent events, go here; the most recent post is on top. Inter-Lazio and Roma-Cagliari will be played on December 5th.]

Manchester United fans are offering supporters who bought tickets to the club’s upcoming Champions League match in Rome refunds, if them want them. Why would they want them, you ask? Because they’re afraid to go to a football match in Italy, that’s why. Fan-freaking-tastic.

You can say these fears grow out of ignorance if you want to, but they also grow out of seeing riots on TV, seeing supporters smashing their way through barriers, causing their own team’s game to be abandoned less than 10 minutes in, and watching kids crying in the stand, as well as the problems in the Olympico last time Man U played there. Those things happened, and it’s incredibly naive to blame the fear they’ve created in outsiders on nothing more than ignorance. People inside calcio have talked of their concern that, if things don’t change, the only people watching Italian football 10 years from now will be sitting at home on their couches, not bothering to risk going to the grounds. If insiders say that, one can only imagine with those on the outside — who hear only about two deaths inside a year, and see thugs attacking police stations — are thinking.

This isn’t the exodus of players that Ricky Kaka has discussed — not yet, anyway — but it is a sign of the international damage events like those that took place on Sunday do to calcio and its reputation. It’s also something we’re going to see a whole lot more of if things don’t change.

Some Related Serie A Posts:

Category: Champions League, Roma, Rumors & News, Serie A

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Marco

You know... I was really pissed when Italy didn't win the hosting competition for Euro 2012 (who actually went to... Poland/Ukraine), but news like this one are starting to put everything into perspective.
g.smiley

Kinda OT but, does anyone have any links to the launch of the new Italy away shirt? I saw some pics over on C4. Wanna see more!
Laurie

I think that what will be so damaging about this one is that the events were so widespread. It wasn't one or two teams, which would be bad enough. It was a large part of a country. This doesn't inspire faith in the rest of the world, particularly since, as you said, it's the second time in a year.

Italian football just seems to keep pushing these events aside and pretending they didn't happen. Short-term consequences, like game delays, but no long-term changes. How long will it be before teams start going bankrupt because people are afraid to go to the games and players no longer want to play in Italy? And is that what it will take to create lasting change?

It would be sad if this is what we have to start hoping for.
Vin

This is just going to be one more thing for the anti-Italian crowd will point to when they criticize us. It's maddening. Can we possibly give them any more ammo?