Atalanta-Milan to be Replayed (And It’s OK to Hate on Mutu)

By: Martha | November 19th, 2007

Jeebus. Contrary to rumors that it would be awarded to Milan by forfeit, the Disciplinary Committee decided today that the abandoned Atalanta-Milan match from Week 12 will be replayed behind closed doors, though the date for the replay has not yet been set. Apart from that one match, the stadium in Bergamo will be open; the Curva Nord, however, will be closed, and will remain so until the end of March, a shorter closure than the one favorite by Atalanta president Ivan Ruggeri, who was considering closing it for the rest of the season.

While it would have been totally understandable for the three points to be awarded to Milan, it’s great to hear that’s not being done. As I’ve said in the comments, Atalanta deserve nothing but support from the Powers that Be for the remarkably brave, strong stance they’re taking against their Ultras right now. Many arrests have already taken place and, if the club continue with their promised prosecution of those involved in the mele in the Curva, they’ll be taking a powerful, if symbolic stance against the ties between clubs and their Ultras; it’s great to see the FIGC supporting them. For the moment, anyway.

Additionally, sporting authorities decided that it’s understandable to hate Adrian Mutu. You’re welcome to insult him, apparently, and as long as your insults don’t involve anything racial — the word “gypsy,” for example, would be bad — they’ll go entirely unpunished. As a result, Lazio supporters are getting off scot-free, despite their abuse of the Romanian during Fiorentina’s Week 11 visit to Rome. Ironically, Juventus have been fined £12,000 for the banner their supporters displayed during the Derby d’Italia, calling Zlatan Ibrahimovic a gypsy.

[Note: Starting today, I'm joining RomaChris, Laurie and Daryl in the effort to fill Bob's shoes on the main page. Everything will be the same as usual here, but come hang out there too, if you want -- Chris and I will bring the Italy as much as possible.]