Match results pale in comparison to what happened in Italy the last couple of days. To be frank, I did not raise an eyebrow, knowing what to expect from the Italians when it comes to soccer.
You see, in this soccer-mad country, a lot of unorthodox stuff can happen. Conspiracy, bribery, corruption, underground betting, scandals, and fan violence no longer shock the nation. When the owner of one of the most successful clubs can be elected as Primer Minister (despite an eminent lack of qualifications), there is no doubting the influence soccer has on Italians - it is almost a religion here.
Speaking of corruptions, it was only last year when the biggest match-fixing fiasco, dubbed Calciopoli, discredited Serie A and caused an exodus of top players as well as financial losses to major teams. But Italians have not seen the worst yet.
In February this year, a policeman was killed by rioting soccer fans in Sicily. Italian authorities suspended all soccer matches and barred spectators from stadiums that don’t meet safety regulations.
Interior Minister Giuliano Amato has vowed to stop the the violence, if not, then the games. He said: “It seems absurd to have soccer played without a public, but it is even more absurd that someone should die for soccer.”
Brave words and with action to boot. In April, Italian anti-hooligan laws were passed which ban block sale of tickets to visiting fans; hefty fines for clubs connected to ‘ultras’; indictment for fans who throw flares or any objects which cause matches to be abandoned; and prohibiting banners that incite violence.
Nevertheless, soccer violence continues unabated even with new and tougher regulations in place. Just this Sunday, a policeman killed a Lazio fan sitting in his car for no particular reason. In the following hours, riots erupted across Italy as fans attacked police stations, burned police vans and injured several officers. The authorities have since arrested a dozen rioters.
A large part of the problem has been identified as coming from the “ultras.” These are the hardcore supporters which held the clubs hostage as they possess financial links and underground connections. While England’s hooliganism is fueled by drunkenness, Italy’s ultras view this aspect with disdain because it impairs the ability to fight.
A sociologist will tell us to start looking at the inherent social problems as football hooliganism mirrors the violence and conflicts prevalent in any society. In Italy, the bad blood is regional. Northern and Southern Italians harbour more acrimony for each other than they do for anyone in the world.
After the death, soccer stadiums were quiet as all Serie A matches were cancelled, including an international game between Italy and Romania. Punters can start placing their bets on whether the ban will continue through next week as the soccer industry is a major index for Italy’s economy.
The country’s four leading clubs — AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan and AS Roma — earned more than €770 million during the 2004 to 2005 season. A suspension of the entire season could result in critical losses of millions of euros. It is no wonder club owners and politicians are worried about the economic impact of the games’ suspension.
Still, drastic measures are necessary if the national passion for soccer and Italy’s credibility is to survive. Italian stadiums have become the most deadly in Europe, police are now thinking twice about setting foot in stadiums. And sports-loving spectators have to check if their insurance coverage are adequate. Between economic impact and protecting the sport’s integrity, Italy have to make the right decision.
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