Italy Faces FIFA Ban if Juventus Goes to Court

That’s called justice.

I wish Juve would just take the punishment and go into Serie B. I am just as disgusted as anyone with this scandal and the damage it has done to Italian soccer and the great league of Serie A.

However, you can’t really blame Juve for trying to use every LEGAL means possible to reduce the penalty. Isn’t this a normal legal process? Wouldn’t every other team / individual do the same thing? I think the ansewer is yes.

I also believe it isn’t fair for Fifa to bully an entire country and demand that some of it’s citizens give up their legal and constituitional rights.

Juve got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and should act like adults and take their punishment. Is it fair to the players or the fans? Probably not. Was it fair to the other clubs in Serie A or the Champions League or UEFA Cup that some Italien clubs tried to stack the deck? Definetly not. I’m sorry for the Juve fans but teams can’t be allowed to benefit from their managements cheating.

simon, How does a match-fixing scandal affect your life exactly? You obviously have some personal issues with Italy you need to resolve.

How right you are JohnB…! I do have some issues to resolve with Italy, especially the way they spoiled my nation’s dogged but resolved run in the world cup.

And every time i see Grosso’s name in the next 4 years, i will be reminded of the pain i had to go through when he single-handedly and in an under-handed foul manner, undid the hopes of a nation. I will be reminded of the grin on his face when he was supposed to be rolling in agony.

Yes, i do have issues to resolve with Italy. And though its going to be a long wait, i will be amongst all those people happy to see justice done, 4 years from now.

Simon just kick back and enjoy this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw3j08aEPSs

pierre, nice video. I don’t think it will give simon much comfort though.

It still brings tears to my eyes.

oh well simon, you act like your nation is the only victim in the history of the world cup. italy losing in four years will not be justice my friend because you will have a new enemy, the next team that knocks your country out of the world cup in a controversial manner and than four years later you will have another enemy. It’s a vicious cycle that never ends, believe me. You need to grow up, be a man and accept defeat like all the other nations. You have an issue with Grosso and that’s understandable (I would) but don’t you think Cahill, put in the same situation, would have done the same thing? It’s like comparing apples and oranges. This time your country got screwed but next time it will be another country, what are you going to say then? Are you going to defend the actions of your players or condemn your country. What if Grosso had stayed on his feet, completed a pass to the italian player waiting in the box and italy scored. Would you still be bitter? I think you would. So what difference does it make?

[...] One of these days they might actually start playing football again in Italy, but until then all we can do is sit back and watch Juventus try to kill itself and kill interest in its league. Yesterday, FIFA announced that it might ban Italian teams from international competitions if the Italian football federation did not take action against teams trying to appeal their match-fixing penalties in civil court. [...]

Looks like Juventus will go ahead with it’s appeal. I can’t believe they can be so selfish as to endanger the national team’s participation in Euro 2008. Not to mention endangering other teams participation in the Champions League and UEFA cup and delaying the start of Serie A by about a month. What a selfish group of s.o.b.s

i agree with you 100% claude. They should take their punishment and drop the appeal.

Wow.

I thought US television sports videos were sappy. That video definitely ranks right up there with Jim MacKay!

Oh, and Juve really ought to suck it up and get on with the job, which I do believe is kicking everyone’s butt in Serie B and rejoining Serie A after penalty served. If I owned the team that’s what I would be focusing on. Right now they are just causing more damage to their bottom line. What’s that old song? Oh yeah: “Walk Like a Man”

Fifa aint gots the guts to suspend the world champions. There is no Euro Cup without Italy playing and they know it.

Beautiful video pierre i cried like a baby.

Forza Italia 34-38-82-06…&10

I can’t believe FIFA is willing to punish an entire country for one teams bad choices. Juventis is doing just what any other team would do whether they are guilty or not. it is human nature to want things to be better even when you are the cause.
Let’s make FIFA act more appropriately…remember two wrongs don’t make a right.

I don’t agree with what Juve’s doing but I think FIFA is being typical: Sticking their noses where they don’t belong and dishing out idle threats to try and keep control of their football empire. Like all empires they soon must crumble. Clean house in FIFA and everything will fall in line. You want to end corruption in Football? Start with FIFA.

What a pitiful display by Juventus. Being a loyal fan of the team for 16 years, it just saddens me to think of what they have done, and what their actions could still do, to Italian soccer. I just hope they come to their senses in time and bow out gracefully. This from a dedicated Juventus fan. As for all of you who are trying to use this to discredit Italy’s performance in the World Cup and whether or not they deserve to win or not, shame on you! What ethics do you have, in kicking a country when they are down? Lastly, and most importantly, as job touched on earlier, injustices happen every time thie World Cup comes around, and it always leaves the weak and pathetic crying over spilled milk, while the strong with character just smile and look forward to the next cup without bitterness, unlike Simon.

i was just reading the comments of simon. Is this guy for real?

Although I agree with Australia’s pain over that call but “under-handed foul manner” You have some serious issues buddy. Look at what Australia didn’t do. I rarely saw them truly threaten the net. Passing the ball around with no set game plan does not make a world cup contender. When are you as an Australian fan going to face up to the facts instead of blaming grosso for Australia’s failure. You need to just be happy Australia got out of the group let alone make the quarters. You should be blaming the ref for making the call or neill for that ridiculous challenge not grosso.

I hope you find some sensibility in four years and stop dwelling on italy as your sworn enemy. they may never play each other again. Sorry that you had to lose, that sucks, but you’re making a fool out of yourself now. It takes a man to look at ignorance and smile, try it, it’s therapeutic.

Is fifa a french organization ?
This sticking of it’s nose into italian football’s business and throwing out idle threats sounds very french.

“Is fifa a french organization ?
This sticking of it’s nose into italian football’s business and throwing out idle threats sounds very french.”

Thanks for proving all the racist stereotypes so many of us have about ignorant italian fans.

Lazaro, he who is without sin may cast the first stone. Powerful words by a powerful man.

Yeah, Lazaro…go ahead and throw that stone.

Am I the only person to find it ironic that a Frenchman would accuse other nationalities of racism?

“Thanks for proving all the racist stereotypes so many of us have about ignorant italian fans.”

Lazaro: isnt that a stereotype in itself?

is lazaro even french? I wonder. I believe luigi’s comment is just an insult, I wouldn’t consider it a racist remark. I think Lazaro should stop going overboard with his accusations of racism. I think these days this racism thing is blown completely out of proportion. Most of the time this stuff is said in fun and doesn’t have any meaning. People should stop taking things so personal and just have a good laugh.

zico, in response yo simon I agree with you partially.

Let’s not forget that Australia failed to challenge the net even though Italy was unjustly playing with one less player for the second half.

AND, unfortunately it was a foul on Grosso. The ref was merely 2 meters away and saw the whole thing. First his body was completely in front, didnt touch the ball (intention doesnt matter in football) and he LIFTED his arm to deliberately trip him. This angle can be viewed on http://www.youtube.com.

Australia has an amazing team and amazing players, but Italy won that game fair and square. Had they lost, people would have been saying they got cheated having to play one man down…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2PgG8j0gyQ

Here is the link so you can see.

As for Juve, they should just play the year in Serie B. It sucks for the players cause it is not them (but the management) who were the problem, and they are the ones paying the price. But that is life. Work you way back up to Serie A.

As for FIFA, they just want to control EVERYTHING.

Oh and let me remind you (or inform you) that in football, it is not like hockey or American football: you dont have to injure another player (or hit them in a dirty manner or from the back) to be awarded a foul.

Fouls are awarded for many different reasons (like spitting, two-footed kick, etc). The rules can be read on http://www.fifa.com.

Catherine, I can agree that the ref had the best view of the incident and he made the call, sometimes the ref sees more than what the cameras tell us. FIFA reviews questionable calls at the end of every match. Well the ref wasn’t sent home like so many others and he actually officiated another game. FIFA must agree with the call. Catherine speaking from experience it’s far more comforting to play the victim and claim the other team cheated you out of a win rather than admit your team just didn’t do enough or wern’t good or hungry enough. Italy and Korea is a prime example. Sure there were bad calls but Italy didn’t play hard enough and that’s why they lost.

Zico, I will have to agree with you on that. =) Thanks for your comment.

“Am I the only person to find it ironic that a Frenchman would accuse other nationalities of racism?”

Who’s French? Huge assumption on your part. As if the only people who don’t support italy’s victory are French. I normally support South American football or Spain. I was rooting for Argentina, and then finally France because they were the only team left who play open, positive attacking football with flair and style, while still having a strong defense.

I’d have less problem with italy’s victory if Italy had had more than one credible match. I still wouldn’t support Italy but I’d say “yes, they earned it.” France faced far, far more than italy did. Before the final, Italy played against exactly one world class team: Germany. That’s it. And even that German team was full of youngsters inexperienced on the international stage. And italy had to fight like hell to win against them.

By contrast, France had to face 3 world class teams with players from Europe’s top clubs, many of them world cup champions and champions league champions; two of those teams had coaches who had won world cups. Those teams were Spain, Brazil and Portugal. None of the opponents Italy faced, other than Germany, matched or outclassed France’s opponents. None. Plus, France progressed DESPITE their coach, not with his help at all. It’s extraordinary what the French team achieved.

And then in the final, it was France who dominated in the 2nd half and in overtime while italy just hung back, exhausted, typically defending with 9 men, running completely out of ideas. Boring, negative football for most of the tournament, per usual.

Plus, France had had one day less to rest than Italy did, and still they were relentless. I’ve never enjoyed Italian football on the national level (club level is different, I’ve enjoyed many a Juve and AC Milan game while studying in Italy in the early 90s). So I’ve never supported the Italian team but I’m more than willing to give them credit when they win a credible victory – like 1982 and 1938 (sorry, I don’t count the Mussolini-bought referreed tournament of 1934). Hell, if they’d won against Brazil in 1994, I’d give them full credit, even with penalties. But this tournament? Please. One good match and a win on penalties, with the opponent dominating for the majority of the match playing better football.

Plus the cynical gamesmanship used against Zidane (yes, yes, stupid him for falling for it, doesn’t change the fact that it was a classless act of cynical gamesmanship in a world cup final). Sorry, I can’t take this victory seriously.

You cannot and should not discredit a win for any team. Lazaro, all your trying to do is spoil the moment for others so you can feel good about yourself. That’s quite a wonderful characteristic you possess. If I’m not mistaken according to you: France did something extraordinary and Italy did not. If this is your belief..so be it.

You really complicate matters too much and get worked up over little things. Simply put: This game is about survival. France were absolutely brilliant but Italy survived. That’s it, there’s nothing else. The rest is could of.. should of.. It’s too late for that. France did not seize the moment and Italy did. That’s all it takes to win the World Cup. Sorry if you can’t understand that.

Your comments are filled with acrimony and ill-will towards a team you despise as if they went out and murdered your family. I feel sorry for you if a few football games can have this much negative impact on your life. I sincerely hope your not a parent. You really need to lighten up.

lazaro get a life.and for fifa get out. of fans passion for soccer

Hey Lazaro,

For someone who dislikes Italy so much you sure talk about them alot. OBSESS MUCH!

Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 25th, 2006 at 4:11 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 25th, 2006 at 9:48 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 26th, 2006 at 12:56 pm

A lot of trash has been said yet again about the controversial penalty kick, the Zidane incident and all that crap that I’ve entirely lost interest in. Remember what this board is ACTUALLY about people!

Back on topic, firstly I think it’d be best if Juventus shut up and accepted their fate. But here’s the thing… guilty parties never do this. Murderers will plead innocent in criminal cases, be convicted file 1000 appeals and then try to get parole later. Its human nature to want less punishment even if you deserve it. So dont give them less punishment… its that simple. However, you cannot deny their right to protest through the legal system!

And to publicly blackmail them like this and attempt to inflict pain on a national team that has little to do with the Juventus officials?! This is unheard of!!!

I have realized and accepted by now that people are always bitter whenever the Italian soccer team wins anything. I can usually ignore this but I am completely and utterly STUNNED as to what can go through a person’s mind to think that Italy’s national team should be punished for the acts of Juventus. For shame!

I hate to imagine a Euro cup without the world cup champions due to the actions of others… but even more than this I hate to imagine that anybody could actually encourage this…

So many sour grapes even after more than a month has passed.
Sour grapes makes bad wine Lazaro ! Especially sour “french” grapes. Quit yer wine-ing” and moveon.org

Hey luigi,

I read Lazaro’s posts all over this site. He said he supports Argentina and France. Sounds like a bandwagon jumper to me. You can’t find any of his comments credible since he doesn’t actually have a team. He thinks he’s a football fan and he thinks he’s doing the world a favour by offering up his worthless mock-intelligence when in reality he’s the perfect loser.

UMM… LAZARO you should be sent to jail for drug possesion because you are definately high when you come on this blog. For gods sake you say France played 3 world class teams before final and italy played one. This is a bunch of bullshit. First we have Italy who plays Australia who actually happens to play a tough game though Italy were outnumbered. Yet even outnumbered Italy managed to create oppourtunities eventually one that gave them a penalty.

Meanwhile you have France against Spain. Aside from Spain’s known inconsistencies in knock-out rounds of the wc i know for a fact that Spain played their shittiest game of the wc whle France had played the best one of the world cup up to that point. in fact it seemed less difficult for france to beat spain then italy against Australia

Next we have Italy vs Ukraine and italy dominates i the same way France did against spain albeit with occasional pressure from Ukraine. France on the other hand is playing a Brazil who is doing shit. Honestly one of the worst Brazilian performances I have ever seen. Only reason it was 1-0 was because Brazil has the defence a world class team usually has.

Italy vs Germany- wow are you seriously saying Germany is full of young inexperienced players: many of their players have played international soccer and even the young players have stepped up. Germany’s force can be viewed in all their previous games. Meanwhile France against Portugal, well Portugal seemed to play better when under pressure and Henry’s penalty looked more like a dive then Grosso’s as in Grosso’s you can actually see contact where in Henry’s it is hard to see.

ON to the Finals and the REST IS HISTORY. ITALY ARE WORLD CHAMPIOINS. 4 STARS (1934 does count by the way no matter what you say. In fact italy were the best team in the 30’s and no one else even comes close