Marino disowns Catania thugs
Catania coach Pasquale Marino believes the ‘fans’ who attacked Palermo supporters and police last night had no interest in football.
"The Tifosi in Catania are passionate, but in one night the image of an entire city has been destroyed," said the tactician after a policeman was killed in Friday’s rioting.
The problems occurred when visiting Palermo fans arrived at the Stadio Massimino, as they and their police escort were ambushed by waiting Catania Ultra’.
"They weren’t fans, they were criminals, pure and simple. If you wait for the Palermo supporters outside the stadium, it means you have no interest in the football. We knew there was trouble outside, but we thought it was the usual scuffles, so we couldn’t imagine the extent of the tragedy unfolding."
Of the 15 arrests after last night’s rioting – none of whom are believed to be linked with the death of 38-year-old Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti – around half are under-age.
"What happened has its roots deep in the past,” explained Marino. “There are kids who already feel hatred for the fans of another city. I want to tell them to think now about the children of Raciti who have been left without a father."
The events in Catania have shocked the club to the core, as both President Antonio Pulvirenti and director Pietro Lo Monaco have hinted they’ll walk out.
"Ours is a young club trying to find its space in the top ranks of football, but when an event like this happens, it destroys everything. Our President and director are a step away from handing in their resignation."
However, the coach who has taken newly promoted Catania to fifth place insists that moment will pass.
"We’re not going to give in the fight. I am convinced that, once the bitterness has passed, we will battle this criminality. Locking down the stadium wouldn’t have helped, though, as the fans would’ve clashed with the police outside anyway."
Source: C4 Football Italia
"The Tifosi in Catania are passionate, but in one night the image of an entire city has been destroyed," said the tactician after a policeman was killed in Friday’s rioting.
The problems occurred when visiting Palermo fans arrived at the Stadio Massimino, as they and their police escort were ambushed by waiting Catania Ultra’.
"They weren’t fans, they were criminals, pure and simple. If you wait for the Palermo supporters outside the stadium, it means you have no interest in the football. We knew there was trouble outside, but we thought it was the usual scuffles, so we couldn’t imagine the extent of the tragedy unfolding."
Of the 15 arrests after last night’s rioting – none of whom are believed to be linked with the death of 38-year-old Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti – around half are under-age.
"What happened has its roots deep in the past,” explained Marino. “There are kids who already feel hatred for the fans of another city. I want to tell them to think now about the children of Raciti who have been left without a father."
The events in Catania have shocked the club to the core, as both President Antonio Pulvirenti and director Pietro Lo Monaco have hinted they’ll walk out.
"Ours is a young club trying to find its space in the top ranks of football, but when an event like this happens, it destroys everything. Our President and director are a step away from handing in their resignation."
However, the coach who has taken newly promoted Catania to fifth place insists that moment will pass.
"We’re not going to give in the fight. I am convinced that, once the bitterness has passed, we will battle this criminality. Locking down the stadium wouldn’t have helped, though, as the fans would’ve clashed with the police outside anyway."
Source: C4 Football Italia
posted by italian calcio blog at 5:10 pm
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