Inter Supporters Join the List of Those in Trouble

By: Martha | October 8th, 2007

The good old days. Though I’m completely striking out in my efforts to find anything about it in the English-language press, sections of the Inter support engaged in racist chants during their match against Napoli over the weekend, as well as displaying offensive banners. Super.

There are pictures of three different banners in today’s (print) La Gazzetta, as well as descriptions of them in other Italian outlets; I can’t find any of them online, though I’m sure they’re out there. The racism in question, as far as I can tell, stems from Italy’s regional rivalries, and stereotypes associated with them; one of the banners — where are outlawed without express permission these days, no matter what they say — referred to Naples as the country’s “sewer.” (I’m not quoting the rest of them because I’m sure there are incredibly offensive colloquialisms at work that I’ll never understand.)* Bad news, kids.

While there haven’t been any bans handed down yet, this is very similar to what went on at the Napoli ground when they faced Livorno several weeks ago (albeit without the smoke bombs that were flying in Naples), and those incidents resulted in the next home match being played in an empty stadium, as well as a temporary away travel ban. Barring sexual favors or incredibly persuasive pleas from Massimo Moratti to someone at FIGC, similar punishment seems pretty much inevitable for Inter supporters, though obviously their impact wouldn’t be felt (and perhaps won’t even be announced) until after the international break is over.

*Anyone who reads Italian and/or is more informed than I about regional rivalries in Italy (Read: Knows anything about them.), please feel free to hold forth in the comments. I’ll edit the post and add in any edumacation you guys have got to offer.