Lippi puts onus on clubs
Marcello Lippi has given his view on the football-related violence in Italy, suggesting clubs spend more on security and less on strikers.
"I felt very bitter, disoriented and very angry at what happened," he said after a 38-year-old Chief Inspector was killed in rioting in Catania.
"It’s just not possible for football to be associated with such a tragedy. The police know full well who are the men who breed hate, hurl objects and homemade bombs.
"In 1995 we suspended sport for the death of Vincenzo Spagnolo, pledging it would never happen again. Blah, blah, blah and 12 years later we’re back where we started."
It is still not clear when the Championship can resume, but it’s reported that after a fortnight hiatus, the next two rounds will be played behind closed doors.
"FIGC Commissioner Luca Pancalli did well to call a halt, as we couldn’t pretend nothing had happened, but neither can this in itself solve anything. We’re kidding ourselves if we think so. It pains me to say, but I imagine that in an emergency situation the authorities will consider banning away fans.
"I have an idea, which was inspired by Home Office Minister Giuliano Amato’s warning that the police would no longer be put in danger in stadiums. If I was the President of a club, I’d tell the fans this: I have £3m to spend, but instead of buying you a new striker, I prefer to ‘buy’ your safety.
“I would use that money to pay for a real security service able to guarantee the safety of everyone at games. I might lose a few points in the table, but I’d have more people willing to come to the stadium. It’s a trade I think that’s more than acceptable.”
Italy won the World Cup this summer and remain competitive in the Champions League, but Lippi is not opposed to a harsh judgment to fix the problems once and for all.
"Feyenoord were kicked out of Europe after their fans rioted, so we’d need the same strong signal in Italy. Let’s not forget that after Heysel it was all English clubs, not just Liverpool, who were exiled for five years."
The fact that the worst rioting this season has been in and around Catania, a club that hadn’t been in the top flight for 20 years.
"Without doubt modern society is increasingly aggressive and frightening, but Friday’s events were separate," said Lippi.
"Look at Catania, a side that is promoted to Serie A after a lifetime and challenging for a Champions League place. If its fans aren’t happy there, then when will they be content?"
The finger has also been pointed at the comments that fire up the tifosi throughout the week.
"Without excluding myself, I must say that all the components – and I mean all of them, including the Coaches, directors, media, etc – should take a long hard look at themselves. I heard and read things that literally provoke the crowd.
"Fines aren’t enough any more. If the club is considered responsible for the actions of its fans, then they must be docked points."
The reigning World Cup holders had been the favourites to be assigned the Euro 2012 Championships, but the recent events put a dent in their bid, set to be decided in April.
"The priority ought to be not for a comfortable stadium, but a safe one. Let’s not joke here, prevention and repression are the only systems, just like the English. We need to get the first one to throw even his chewing gum on to the pitch and lock him in prison."
Source: C4 Football Italia
"I felt very bitter, disoriented and very angry at what happened," he said after a 38-year-old Chief Inspector was killed in rioting in Catania.
"It’s just not possible for football to be associated with such a tragedy. The police know full well who are the men who breed hate, hurl objects and homemade bombs.
"In 1995 we suspended sport for the death of Vincenzo Spagnolo, pledging it would never happen again. Blah, blah, blah and 12 years later we’re back where we started."
It is still not clear when the Championship can resume, but it’s reported that after a fortnight hiatus, the next two rounds will be played behind closed doors.
"FIGC Commissioner Luca Pancalli did well to call a halt, as we couldn’t pretend nothing had happened, but neither can this in itself solve anything. We’re kidding ourselves if we think so. It pains me to say, but I imagine that in an emergency situation the authorities will consider banning away fans.
"I have an idea, which was inspired by Home Office Minister Giuliano Amato’s warning that the police would no longer be put in danger in stadiums. If I was the President of a club, I’d tell the fans this: I have £3m to spend, but instead of buying you a new striker, I prefer to ‘buy’ your safety.
“I would use that money to pay for a real security service able to guarantee the safety of everyone at games. I might lose a few points in the table, but I’d have more people willing to come to the stadium. It’s a trade I think that’s more than acceptable.”
Italy won the World Cup this summer and remain competitive in the Champions League, but Lippi is not opposed to a harsh judgment to fix the problems once and for all.
"Feyenoord were kicked out of Europe after their fans rioted, so we’d need the same strong signal in Italy. Let’s not forget that after Heysel it was all English clubs, not just Liverpool, who were exiled for five years."
The fact that the worst rioting this season has been in and around Catania, a club that hadn’t been in the top flight for 20 years.
"Without doubt modern society is increasingly aggressive and frightening, but Friday’s events were separate," said Lippi.
"Look at Catania, a side that is promoted to Serie A after a lifetime and challenging for a Champions League place. If its fans aren’t happy there, then when will they be content?"
The finger has also been pointed at the comments that fire up the tifosi throughout the week.
"Without excluding myself, I must say that all the components – and I mean all of them, including the Coaches, directors, media, etc – should take a long hard look at themselves. I heard and read things that literally provoke the crowd.
"Fines aren’t enough any more. If the club is considered responsible for the actions of its fans, then they must be docked points."
The reigning World Cup holders had been the favourites to be assigned the Euro 2012 Championships, but the recent events put a dent in their bid, set to be decided in April.
"The priority ought to be not for a comfortable stadium, but a safe one. Let’s not joke here, prevention and repression are the only systems, just like the English. We need to get the first one to throw even his chewing gum on to the pitch and lock him in prison."
Source: C4 Football Italia
posted by italian calcio blog at 3:17 pm
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