Related

Article

Capello angers Italians with ultra comments

26 October 2009 16:22

Ultra problema: England coach Fabio Capello has angered some of his fellow Italians on Monday when he said ultra hardcore fans were ruining Serie A.

England coach Fabio Capello angered some of his fellow Italians on Monday when he said ultra hardcore fans were ruining Serie A.

"The ultras do what they want. In the stadium they insult everyone," Capello told reporters at an Italian sports seminar, adding that stadiums in Spain and England were more family friendly.

Italian Olympic Committee chief Gianni Petrucci was one of a number of Italian sports officials to hit back, saying: "It is absolutely not true. It is easy to talk from up high."

Capello also sympathised with Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who has been heavily criticised in the media for overlooking in-form Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano.

"I have (Michael) Owen, I also have a tormentor. Everyone has one," Capello said.

The England coach did not select Owen during World Cup qualification and the Manchester United striker has a difficult task to make it into the squad for South Africa 2010.

Read all about the World Cup 2010 at worldcup.soccerway.com

Comments (4)

Tontodonati

26 October 2009 19:24

Fabio has had enough experience in Italy, Spain and England. He speaks from a position of authority. I'm with him on this one. I can see the difference between the behavior of the Italian fans today and the days when I was still living and playing in Italy 50 years ago. Besides, I would not want to go against my favorite coach. I hope he will coach the Azzurri after the 2010 World Cup.

Avi82

26 October 2009 21:21

I love Italian ultras. They are real football supporters. Ultras are adding more colour to the football.

Capello has right to reveal his opinion about Italian ultras, but the timing to critisize ultras right now is totally unnecassary. Probably, he become more English than English. He is very naive to claim English fans (Hooligans) are more family frindly than Italian supporters.

Probably he forgat recent Milwall vs West Ham game, probably due to his Englishness....

Giorgio

27 October 2009 06:39

Capello is absolutely correct. And it's not true that Italians are angered by his remarks.

Avi82

27 October 2009 14:29

Tonto and Giorgio,

Sorry, but you were naive to stand for Capello in this matter. Capello claimed Italian football of being ruined by diving and run by the Ultras. He said in Italy divers are praised but in England they were jeered. What a bullshit (sorry Tonto, I used a word that I should not have used). His comments are ridicoulus. When Owen dived against Argentina, in 1998 and 2002 World Cups, he was praised and treated as a hero. As a matter of fact, his most of star players are divers. His star player, Rooney, blatantly dived against Slovenia (there are many if you search). His other leading player, Gerrard, is even a hypocrite as well as a diver. He claimed that players like Ronaldo and Carvalho damaging football as they are divers. However, he has a history of simulation as a diver himself. (i.e. his most recent dive against Atletico Madrid, how about his dive against Bolton, probably the worst one). Capello should speak to his players first to be ethical, then critisize others.

I follow Italian, Spanish and English leagues. I watch at least one game from each league every week. I can assure you both that more divers are in EPL than any other leagues including Israeli league.

Ericksson was very succesfull, beginning of his time as an English manager. He was then sacked. Capello will share same fate like Ericksson, soon.

Tonto, I do not think Pope Benedict would welcome me. Or he might, if I am converted to Catholicism.

Sponsored links