Comments on: Inter Pay The Price For Fan Banner

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:06:05 +0000

That isn’t completely fair, J.

Both the “sewer” and “cholera” memes predate the current crisis by decades. They have been part of the anti-Neapolitan/anti-Southern nonsense that Al rightly decries for as long as I can remember; I first heard cholera chants directed at Maradona’s Napoli, and they weren’t new then.

As to what’s happened, the immediate situation has improved with the forced re-opening of several waste sites (backed by a military presence in a number of cases), but all of the structural problems continue to plague the region, and there are still substantial volumes of unattended garbage away from the city centre and tourist spots.

By: Johonna

Johonna — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:23:36 +0000

Except for the fact that the banner is referring to the ongoing mafia-related garbage problem in Naples and was not a racist remark [probably - I didnt make the banner]. The garbage has been piling up since last May and there actually have been recent cases of cholera (which was the topic of one of the banners).

Earlier this year, the EU threatened to sue Italy over the problem, but I dont know what action, if any, has been taken.

By: Al Di Livorno

Al Di Livorno — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:36:51 +0000

I cannot concur. Being the Northern League’s neo-fascist hatred of the South (such comments as all Southerners are really African- implying something’s wrong with that anyway) and that the Naples situation was a crisis it was more as if neo-nazis showed up to a New York Jets- New Orleans Saints game and had signs saying “N*****ers enjoying a good swim”. Prejudice/racism is rampant in Football/soccer- this was a clear, welcome, message to kick racism out. Chris, just a serious question, are you a Lazio/De Canio fan?
Thanks all- Antifa Per Sempre

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:50:23 +0000

It goes to a regional court, likely still to be in Napoli, but can ultimately be appealed to the highest civil court in Rome.

The Italian justice system is notoriously inefficient and slow, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if such appeals were still not resolved five years from now.

By: elle

elle — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:44:55 +0000

where’s the fun of going to games if the opposing team’s fans don’t insult you?

By: shehan

shehan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:32:30 +0000

inter fans were always a bunch of racist monkeys anyway, this is no shocker at all.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:07:19 +0000

Agree with Greg about this type of banter. Definitely heard worse stuff all across the world.

That’s interesting about Italian law, ursus. Does it go to a higher court outside Napoli now?

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:15:12 +0000

PS- ‘Breched’ is non proofread internet comment for the English word ‘breached’

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:09:06 +0000

The American Throw(foot)ball league just released a code of fan conduct that if breched and documented will lead to the “guilty” fan(s) getting the banhammer. I don’t have the link handy but a quick Googling of ‘NFL’ and ‘code of conduct’ should yield the ridiculous new rules. English comedian Eddie Izzard foreshadowed such.a world a few years ago commenting on California’s smoking ban by saying that we’ll have to go the library to have fun anymore. Racism and sectarianism are totally different animals from chiding and silly banter. No al calcio moderno!!!!

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:20:29 +0000

Where it goes from here is that Inter will appeal, and win. Perhaps not in the next court, but eventually.

Also keep in mind that Italy is not a common law country like the US; there is no precedential value to this decision outside of the Neapolitan court in which it was brought.