Panucci doubts big names will shun troubled Italy
FLORENCE, Italy: AS Roma defender Christian Panucci rubbished suggestions on Wednesday that top players might shun Italian football if fan violence continued to dog the game there.
On Tuesday AC Milan and Brazilian midfielder Kaka said incidents like the trouble that followed Sunday's shooting of a Lazio fan by a police officer could deter big names from coming to Serie A.
"The champions will keep coming the same, as long as they are well-paid," Panucci told reporters at Italy's training camp near Florence before Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow.
Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri, 26, was shot dead after a brawl at a motorway service station in what police said was a tragic accident.
It was the second violent death linked to top-flight soccer this year after a policeman died in rioting outside a stadium in Sicily in February.
Azzurri striker Luca Toni expressed optimism that Italy could solve its hooligan problem.
"If they have done it in Germany and England, we can do it in Italy too," the Bayern Munich forward said.
"The forces of the police, (club) directors and footballers should be united to stop the delinquents who hold society hostage.
"Together we can find a solution that gives this sport back to the true fans. We have to react, make stricter laws. We want another soccer."
Agencies
(China Daily 11/16/2007 page23)
