By Anna Italia

Here are the words of Italy's Captain Fabio Cannavaro from the training center of Coverciano.

I must say that it shocked me to read his first statement.  Although it hurts, Cannavaro is totally right to feel embarrassed.

"In this moment I am lucky to play outside of Italy". The captain of the National team, Fabio Cannavaro, does not hide his embarrassment as an Italian football player playing abroad after a new wave of violence.

Cannavaro said, "I am lucky to play in a league where families go to the stadium on Sunday, where the few extremists are kept under control. I have a lot of friends who go to the stadium, and not all fans are the same. If we have to think about our responsibilities, then I think we have to change our relations with the fans. This relationship has to change."

Just to echo Cannavaro's words, I am still wondering, Why Italian families cannot go to the stadium and enjoy a soccer match but worrying about what kind of violence might develop? 
Why pleasing these crazy ULTRAS FANS and becoming hostages of violence? 
Can Italy take control again from these so called soccer fans with no other purpose than looking for excuses to express violence? 

On behalf of the entire National team, Fabio Cannavaro expressed condolences to the family of Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri.  The team will play against Scotland with a mourning band after the tragedy in Badia al Pino.

"It was not possible to stop the national team - continued the captain - and on Saturday, in addition to playing for the Euro qualifications, we will represent the image of Italian football abroad: we have to good at facing a psychologically difficult moment, like we did in 2006".

I am glad the Italy did not cancel the EURO 2008 Qualifying match against Scotland, it would have been a defeat for Italian fooball. 

Canceling matches or stopping fans from attending matches are not the solution.  Erradicate these "violent ultras fans" and punish them is the solution to send a clear message. Just when someone starts making violent problems or inciting to violence from the benches, security should go immediately and remove the person.  Otherwise,  this violent situation will continue growing because "ULTRAS" are winning the battle... sadly.... but true....

Back to Cannavaro, he also had some words for the newcomer Juventus forward Raffaele Palladino, former Under 21, forward of Juventus and his first call on the major National team.

"When I was given the news, I thought it was a joke. When I finally realized it was not, I went crazy. To be here, someone like me who was on the Under 21 team last year, means a lot. It means that the sacrifices made to remain in Turin and to become a starter on the Juventus team, were worth it".

Raffaele Palladino commented about Donadoni:

"I would like to thank Donadoni for this call.  I have known him since he was the coach of Livorno and I have always had a high consideration of him. To be here is the best, and I do not want to put anyone in difficulty for a spot on the team. Scotland? We know that they are an excellent team, that they have always had good results at home. But we are the World Champions, and by remaining humble, determined and concentrated, we can definitely do well. We will not go on the field to tie, since each one of us has always gone on the field to win."

WHAT:    EURO 2008 QUALIFYING 
                SCOTLAND - ITALY

WHEN:    Saturday
                November 17, 2007

WHERE:  Glasglow, Scotland

TIME:      6 p.m. (Italy time)
               9 a.m. (USA  Pacific time)

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