Violence in Italian football

In his editorial, Yves Thréard deplores the "foul mentality" permeating football and discrediting the game. "Italy is in the spotlight today, after the death of a policeman in Catane. It is painful to have to admit that the nation that is home to the world champions is also the land of all kinds of delinquency. Match-fixing that led to the famous Juventus Turin demotion, racist insults and neo-Nazi banners in the grandstands, regular assaulting of players and referees and riot scenes after the game... how can the game still be enjoyed in such a context? ... A foul mentality has taken over today's football world, in which a head-but is more memorable than a technical exploit, the publicity stunts of a player remembered more than the beautiful victory of a team and a coach's loss of self-control more than a valorous gesture."

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