The Italian Weekend

The Italian Weekend

Italian football fans have reacted violently inside and outside stadiums following the police shooting of a Lazio supporter.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7090017.stm

It's funny how the police are saying it was a "Warning Shot"...Never heard of a warning shot aimed at a car before...But I guess, they had a right to be scared since that police officer got stabbed last year, trying to stop a fight.

Italian Football has always been full of controversy, from Corruption to hooligan fans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7090170.stm - Officer 'rues' killing Lazio fan   

In Italy the supportes can be called hooligans,

I have been to games in Italy particarly at Fiorentina. Whilst there is a bit more menance than in many countries in the main people go to enjoy the football. There are some unhelpful traditions and an unwillingness to forgive past events. The associations of some clubs with fascism or communism for example. Like much of Italian civil society the people who run the clubs are rather shady by Australasian standards.The police often have a totally negative attitude and this does not help - I was searched and the top of my water bottle confiscated for heavens sake!

Shame because the actual quality of soccer is very good! Luca Tony was still at Fiorentina last time I was there and he was awesome as a striker.

Oh well, the Italians shall be taught a lesson this weekend (on and off the park).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7097053.stm An Italian policeman who shot dead a Lazio fan last weekend is set to be charged with murder, his lawyer says.