The EURO 2012 is fast approaching. Yet, another high-profile scandal has rocked the world of European football less than a month before the culmination of Europe’s most celebrated football event, next to the World Cup. With the limelight focused on Italy’s Lazio and Juventus being involved in a high-profile game fixing scandal, a crucial question is raised: can those issues affect Italy’s preparation for the EURO 2012?
The Background of the Scandal
In brief detail, here are the important facts on the game fixing scandal between Lazio and Juventus:
- On May 28, Italian police raided the house of Domenico Criscito, a former defender of Juventus and Genoa who is currently playing for Russia’s Zenit and was recently drawn for Italy’s EURO 2012 team. Criscito was subsequently removed from Italy’s EURO 2012 roster.
- The same day, Lazio’s captain Stefano Mauri was also arrested alongside 13 other people. All of them were alleged of being involved in a game fixing scandal, which is still pending investigation up to this day.
- Manager Antonio Conte and defender Leonardo Bonucci, both coming from Juventus, are also under investigation as well.
- Two days after the raids by police on footballers, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti proposed that football activities in Italy shall be suspended for 2 to 3 years following the game fixing investigations.
- Investigating authorities discovered the game fixing scandal after they found out that a player from Cremonese drugged his teammates in order to lose their game (full details on this one are still vague as of this writing).
- Right now, investigations are ongoing, extending towards other Italian football players that might be involved.
A Déjà Vu for Italy
The current football scandal is not the first one that tagged Italian football clubs as perpetrators. Last 2006, the infamous Calciopoli scandal tagged Italy’s top football clubs Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Reggina as being involved in a game rigging scandal. The clubs were accused of choosing their favorite referees which will favor them back on the field. The incident led to the punishment of top Italian football officials, including a top Juventus administrator, Lazio’s owner and several others.
Not Backing Out
Having recovered from the Calciopoli incident, the recent scandal has struck Italy anew with questions on the integrity of the Italian football. Yet, amidst of all those corruption issues, the Italian national team has expressed interest to continue on with their EURO 2012 campaign, even as coach Cesare Prandelli mentioned that it would not bother him if ever his team decides to withdraw.
Can Italy Redeem Itself in EURO2012?
With Italy being the home of some of Europe’s strongest football teams by career track records, supporters of Italy for EURO 2012 technically have no reason to worry about. For sure, members of the Italian national squad will never let their guard down in this year’s EURO. As a matter of redemption, there are more reasons why Italy has to raise the bar further. Not even its latest defeat against Russia at 3-0 during the EURO2012 warm-up games can lower its chances, as prominent critics like Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni suggest. All eyes are surely set on Italy in its first EURO 2012 appearance under Group C on June 11, 2012, 1:00 AM (GMT+ 8:00).
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