Comments on: At a Crossroads http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html News from the Italian Serie A Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:30:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marco http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html#comment-3966 Marco Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:58:55 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html#comment-3966 As much as I hate to say it - maybe FIFA/UEFA needs to suspend Italy from competition. I might not be able to stay up late and watch it on Sunday night anymore, but if it means we get a much improved competition in future, a non-violent competition, it could be worth it. There is no way the Italian authorities will suspend all competition. As much as I hate to say it – maybe FIFA/UEFA needs to suspend Italy from competition. I might not be able to stay up late and watch it on Sunday night anymore, but if it means we get a much improved competition in future, a non-violent competition, it could be worth it. There is no way the Italian authorities will suspend all competition.

]]> By: Laurie http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html#comment-3913 Laurie Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:15:05 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html#comment-3913 Paolo makes an interesting point about people not attending games because of fear. It seems that one of the main reasons for the inertia has been economic -- to shut down games, etc. would cost too much. But the refusal to act has created its own economic impact, and will destroy the game if not remedied. This is tragic, but it is fixable. (And I'm hoping that France is listening also.) What it takes is the will to act. Let's hope that finally comes. Paolo makes an interesting point about people not attending games because of fear. It seems that one of the main reasons for the inertia has been economic — to shut down games, etc. would cost too much. But the refusal to act has created its own economic impact, and will destroy the game if not remedied.

This is tragic, but it is fixable. (And I’m hoping that France is listening also.) What it takes is the will to act. Let’s hope that finally comes.

]]> By: Paolo http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html#comment-3898 Paolo Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:04:36 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/at-a-crossroads.html#comment-3898 First off thoughts and pryers are out with the Raciti Family. The game is in a bad state right now. A club official who was with a lower ranked club from Calabria, and served with them for 40 years, was killed last week as well. He was trying to brake up an altercation between players and was kicked in the head by opposing players, suffered head trauma and later died. A linesman in Serie D had a drum thrown at his head causing him injury. They have to bring the Stadiums up to code and make it safe for all in attendance. I have had the oopurtunity to attend Serie A games and they are flat out phenomenal and I personally have never witnessed any violence. I have read the season will resume Feb 18th behind closed doors in empty stadiums. What they have not made clear is if the games that were suspended will be made up or just completely removed. Incidents like this seem to be synonymous with soccer which is very sad. My own relatives in Italy question me as to why I want to go watch the games when I am there. So there is fear instilled in the people. Which is why attendance is down. Major changes are needed or this will continue to happen. Cancelling seasons or suspending league action for extended periods of time are, in my opinion, just threats and will never happen. They could never do that. Adapt what they have in English stadiums, film everyone and watch them. Take care of the problem outside the stadium. Peruzzi said it right on. Everyone in the game is to blame, from the fans to the players. First off thoughts and pryers are out with the Raciti Family. The game is in a bad state right now. A club official who was with a lower ranked club from Calabria, and served with them for 40 years, was killed last week as well. He was trying to brake up an altercation between players and was kicked in the head by opposing players, suffered head trauma and later died. A linesman in Serie D had a drum thrown at his head causing him injury. They have to bring the Stadiums up to code and make it safe for all in attendance. I have had the oopurtunity to attend Serie A games and they are flat out phenomenal and I personally have never witnessed any violence. I have read the season will resume Feb 18th behind closed doors in empty stadiums. What they have not made clear is if the games that were suspended will be made up or just completely removed. Incidents like this seem to be synonymous with soccer which is very sad. My own relatives in Italy question me as to why I want to go watch the games when I am there. So there is fear instilled in the people. Which is why attendance is down. Major changes are needed or this will continue to happen. Cancelling seasons or suspending league action for extended periods of time are, in my opinion, just threats and will never happen. They could never do that. Adapt what they have in English stadiums, film everyone and watch them. Take care of the problem outside the stadium. Peruzzi said it right on. Everyone in the game is to blame, from the fans to the players.

]]>