With another match fixing scandal ripping through Italy, could the Azzurri potentially withdraw from Euro 2012?
Italy's coach Cesare Prandelli finds himself in the middle of some tough decisions. With Italian Football under investigation for a number of match fixing scandals as well as betting investigations, Prandelli says he would not be bothered by Italy's withdrawal.
Zenit St. Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito was released from the Italian squad after being questioned late last week. While the Italian defender feels he has been made a scapegoat in this situation, he is not the only one involved.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has also been under investigation for suspicion of making large bets. Italian authorities have already notified Buffon that his financial records are being investigated, but for now they have not managed to find any wrongdoing.
What could this mean for Italy? A team with a number of great players now faces a potential embarressing withdrawal.
“If you told us that, for the good of football, we should not participate, it wouldn't be a problem for me. There are things that I believe are more important," said Prandelli.
All the controversy has led to Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti suggesting the suspension of Italian Football for two or three years. “If you told us that for the good of football the national team should not go to the Euros, it wouldn’t be a problem for me,” Prandelli said. “There are things which I consider more important."
Prandelli has stated publicly that the players involved in these investigations would not go to Poland/Ukraine.
“We keep on saying those players caught up in the investigation will not be going to Euro 2012."
It will be interesting to see how the Italian Federation decides to handle this matter. If Italy is to still participate in Euro 2012, how will all of this controversy affect the players on and off the field?
Zenit St. Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito was released from the Italian squad after being questioned late last week. While the Italian defender feels he has been made a scapegoat in this situation, he is not the only one involved.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has also been under investigation for suspicion of making large bets. Italian authorities have already notified Buffon that his financial records are being investigated, but for now they have not managed to find any wrongdoing.
What could this mean for Italy? A team with a number of great players now faces a potential embarressing withdrawal.
“If you told us that, for the good of football, we should not participate, it wouldn't be a problem for me. There are things that I believe are more important," said Prandelli.
All the controversy has led to Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti suggesting the suspension of Italian Football for two or three years. “If you told us that for the good of football the national team should not go to the Euros, it wouldn’t be a problem for me,” Prandelli said. “There are things which I consider more important."
Prandelli has stated publicly that the players involved in these investigations would not go to Poland/Ukraine.
“We keep on saying those players caught up in the investigation will not be going to Euro 2012."
It will be interesting to see how the Italian Federation decides to handle this matter. If Italy is to still participate in Euro 2012, how will all of this controversy affect the players on and off the field?
