As you can imagine, there is only one topic of conversation all over Italy today: Italy’s “win or go home” World Cup match against Slovakia this afternoon.
After a draw with Paraguay and the shock result of a draw with New Zealand, Italy must win this afternoon’s game to be sure of progressing to the last 16 in the tournament.
So, with Italy’s supporters already holding their breath, Northern League leader and Reform Minister Umberto Bossi caused a storm on Tuesday by suggesting that Italy would “buy” the game.
This not only caused widespred offence but awoke painful memories of the 2006 match-fixing scandal in which Juventus was relegated to the second division.
In addition Mr Bossi’s son announced that he would not be supporting Italy and the Lega’s radio station celebrated Paraguay’s goal against Italy.
After Northern League Minister Roberto Calderoli suggested that the Italian squad should forego any World Cup bonuses because of the economic crisis, several of the players said they would donate some of the money to the fund for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy in 2011.
This angered the Northern League, which wants a federal Italy.
Now Mr Bossi has been forced to apologise to the national team for his remark, which he has dismissed as a “joke”, adding that he hopes Italy wins the tournament. Mr Bossi quoted the Italian proverb,
“Scherza con i fanti ma lascia stare i santi” – “You can joke about foot soldiers but not about saints”.
In criticising Italy’s national football team, he admitted, he had joked about “saints”.
Will you be wearing blue for Italy this afternoon?
