An earthquake and a match-fixing scandal are overshadowing Italy’s participation at Euro 2012, leaving fans little room to discuss line-ups and tactics as the Azzurri squad is about to leave for Poland.
A friendly against Luxembourg was cancelled Tuesday in Parma, one of the towns hit on the day by a second quake in the Emilia-Romagna region, with a total of 17 victims and 350 hurt.
Another test had been scheduled for Friday in Zurich against Russia, who are also at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine from June 8 to July 1.
Italy’s captain Gianluigi Buffon this week confirmed his outspokenness in a meeting with the media which largely dealt with investigations that led to the arrest of several players, with hundreds suspected of taking bribes to fix games for punters.
Antonio Conte, who is Buffon’s coach at Serie A champions Juventus, and team—mate Leonardo Bonucci are also being investigated for alleged involvement when they were at other clubs, while defender Domenico Criscito this week left the Azzurri camp after becoming a suspect.
Buffon is to be questioned by prosecutors as well over remarks he made about football games but he says they had nothing to do with fixing schemes but simply scenarios on the pitch such as teams being content with draws. Prosecutors said Buffon will not be questioned until after Euro.
The star goalkeeper, a 2006 world champion, said he was disappointed about the scandal, but also angry with the media who often know in advance of police raids.
“If someone talks with a prosecutor, you know the content 10 minutes later. It is a shame,” he said, noting also that when police notified Criscito early Monday “there were television cameras outside (the Azzurri camp in) Coverciano at six in the morning.” Midfielder Daniele De Rossi, another world champion, said this week that the current scandal, which is being investigated in Cremona, Naples and Bari, is worse than the one of 2006, which accompanied Italy’s run—up and participation of the World Cup they eventually won.
“I agree (with De Rossi),” Buffon said. “This scandal affects the whole system of football. That (of 2006) was mostly about a single club.” Juventus were relegated, with two titles stripped, as alleged ringleaders in an affair involving various club officials and referees, who consorted to adjust game results, albeit without money involved.
This time Juve seem not to be involved, but the storm is far from over, with the domestic federation on Thursday opening a sports trial involving 61 footballers and officials from 22 clubs.
Bans, point deductions and relegations are likely to be handed down in the coming weeks as sports prosecutors receive evidence from state investigators.
The Azzurri, meanwhile seek to stay focussed on a tournament they won only once in 1968.
A tough debut in Group C awaits them on June 10 against holders Spain, with Croatia and Ireland the other opponents.
“I am in good form, with plenty of will to win,” Buffon said.
“With my team—mates, we want to play a role as protagonists. But should we win the title, please do not say that controversies are good in a competition.
“It would be sickening and it makes me shiver.”
