racial abuse

[rich1471]

this is shocking to say not enough fans took part to trigger action against the club one fan is enough and one to many in this day and age

Bologna and Ghana midfielder Godfred Donsah says he is "100%" willing to go on strike to show solidarity with Sulley Muntari.

Pescara midfielder Muntari, 32, was given a one-game ban after he protested against racist abuse he received from the crowd at Cagliari on Sunday.

The Serie A disciplinary committee said not enough fans took part in the abuse to trigger action against Cagliari.

[Herman Hessian]

it is staggering - but not quite so much so when you take on board the degree to which the italian "fans" are integrated - by way of the whole ultra system - in to the running of the game; they hold a massive amount of sway with the authorities, have a monopoly with regard to certain aspects of matchday ticket sales and, in simple terms, have the game by the balls - it'd be wholly counter productive for them to allow any sort of draconian response to the abuse (although they're not averse to offering up "sacrificial lambs" for punishment to appease the rest of the country and maintain the illusion that the game has some integrity)

then there's the second layer of influence with the (purported) mafia involvement with the ultras themselves, so it's not just a group of "well organised fans who can be a bit naughty sometimes and have pretty flags" who have to be kept onside; it's a dark but wholly fascinating game, football in italy - but one which is probably best observed from the periphery if your only interest is the product on the pitch...