DG's Quick Hits- November 13, 2007

ANOTHER RIOT, ANOTHER DEATH

Just when things couldn’t get worse for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), news of yet another rioting death involving the police emerged over the weekend, forcing the indefinite postponement of three Serie A contests (Lazio-Inter, Milan-Atalanta and Roma-Cagliari) and all Serie B and Serie C contests this coming weekend. The Scotland-Italy Euro 2008 qualifier is unaffected, as the game is being held in Scotland.

According to reports, Juventus Ultras attacked the cars of Lazio Ultras at a highway service station near Arezzo. However, in the process of trying to break up the fight, a police officer’s bullet struck and killed Lazio supporter (and semi-famous Rome DJ) Gabriele Sandri while Sandri was sitting in his car. The officer stated in an interview he shot once in the air to gain the fighters’ attention, but when the officer ran after Sandri’s car, his gun went off again. The police at first called the shooting “accidental”, but Sandri’s family contend it was murder and reports now suggest that there is an investigation that could lead to a murder charge. As for the events of that night, Atalanta and Roma fans were involved in scuffles with police following the postponement of those matches, leading to multiple arrests and the trying of four Roma supporters under Italy’s terrorism laws, since, in the police’s eyes, their attacks were politically motivated. It was also announced that the Atalanta fans arrested would also face charges, although they haven’t been brought forward yet.

It does not bear mentioning just how unfortunate these incidents are. No matter how naïve one had to be to believe that the FIGC directives following Filippo Raciti’s death last February would actually work this quickly, no one could have possibly predicted that yet another rioting death would occur just nine months later; but, given the fact that several actions had already been taken this season against fans across Italy, perhaps there was a sense of inevitability concerning Sandri’s death. There are no shortage to suggestions for possible solutions, including a one-month (possibly more) postponement of Serie A matches as well as a travel ban of away fans. Postponing matches simply postpones the inevitable- yet another death- and given the fact that 1,000 Napoli supporters managed to buy tickets for the game in Milan against Inter, any “away fan ban” is going to be undermined in some capacity. There will also be the introduction a “fan ID system” (where the fan’s name will be printed on the ticket), which will work but won’t stop any would-be first-time offenders.

In light of these recent events, I’ve decided to change my tune. Earlier I railed against the FIGC- and soccer in general- about taking actions against fans as a whole when the actions of the minority are really the culprit. Now- perhaps very late- I realize the situation in Italy is far too extreme for anything but mass actions to occur. My solution would be to play the next home game for each team behind closed doors, with further stipulations allowing for more closed-door matches should more incidents occur, as well as increases in security measures (such as an increased police presence). Finally, the experience-gutting Ultra groups- the source of the majority of problems- should be gutted once and for all. Fan groups can still be created, but they must adhere to a promise of non-violence. Yes, it is terrible that Italian soccer has come to this, but if the fans are proving they can’t behave themselves then they shouldn’t be allowed at games- going to a game is a privilege, not a right, and we’re at the point of no return here- action needs to be done before another incident potentially soils for good what should be a great experience.

AVERY MAY FACE LEAGUE ACTION

In a somewhat surprising development, New York Rangers forward Sean Avery is scheduled to meet with the National Hockey League’s chief disciplinarian- Senior Vice President Colin Campbell- over an altercation he had with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker during the warm-up skate in Toronto before the Rangers’ eventual 3-2 shootout victory over the Maple Leafs. The skirmish started when Avery shoved the Leafs’ Jason Blake and apparently commented on Blake’s diagnosis with a treatable form of leukemia; causing Tucker to rush to Blake’s aid. “It goes beyond just getting under guys' skin,” Maple Leafs defenseman Wade Belak said of the incident. “I think [Avery] takes it to a personal level and that is what guys hate about him.”

Avery- despite being a consistent offensive threat since his breakthrough 2005-06 season with the Los Angeles Kings- has been involved in a number of on-ice incidents since that campaign. In the 2005 preseason after Denis Gauthier’s hit on then teammate Jeremy Roenick left Roenick concussed, he stated that Gauthier’s hit was “typical of French-Canadian guys with a visor who play tough and not back it up.” Furthermore, in October 2005, Avery was alleged by black player Georges Laraque to have called Laraque a “monkey” (an allegation Avery denies) and became the first player in NHL history to be fined for diving in November of the same year, incurring another fine when he lashed out against Campbell. Finally, he cemented his place as the NHL’s most despised player when a 2007 players’ poll indicated he was their top pick for the position with 66.4% of the vote.

It is refreshing to see the league take action on Avery in this incident instead of brushing it aside as the league too often does. Now, it is true that Avery’s past history may be what is triggering the league’s response in this case, but considering that Avery is being flagged for triggering what are usually considered “minor dustups” is a step in the right direction. Far too often players are seen chirping and hacking at opposing players in an effort to “get under their skin” and referees do nothing, apparently because “players are supposed to fight their own battles”. Now, don’t get me wrong- I think trash talking is a fundamental part of playing a game and the practice itself should never be banned, but in the NHL, it gets out of hand far too often; and this is where potentially violent situations begin. Let’s not forget, Jesse Boulerice’s hit on Ryan Kesler was done because Kesler and Boulerice were apparently “battling”, and if referees had flagged it down instead of “letting it pass” the dangerous hit may never have happened. Yes, players should “be allowed to play” but they- and the NHL- need to know that there are limits if they are ever going to be serious of ridding “violent play” once and for all.

THIS AND THAT

• Another entry in the category “they’ll take a poll for anything”: A recently released poll in the run-up to the Australian general election revealed that 34 percent of Australians wanted to see opposition leader Kevin Rudd naked while 16 percent wanted to see current Prime Minister John Howard naked. Said Howard of the results, “I’m surprised it’s not zero”. Now, as for political leaders *I’d* like to see naked, I vote for New Zealand’s Helen Clark…there’s a looker.
• From “Air McNair” to “Error McNair”: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair committed three turnovers against the Cincinnati Bengals a week after a two turnover performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In both games, the Ravens only managed a single touchdown and lost by multiple scores, as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham had all the points in a 21-7 win and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had five touchdown passes in a 38-7 win. “This is probably the lowest point in my career,” McNair said about his performance against Cincinnati. “What do I need to do about it? I don't know.” I know what the Ravens should do- start Kyle Boller (or even rookie Troy Smith, the quarterback for the 2006 national runners-up Ohio State) and see where the future is, because it’s no longer with the 34-year-old, “Air”-ed out quarterback.
• So the Indianapolis Colts go from 7-0 to 7-2 in less than a month. Who would have figured? The Colts’ second consecutive loss (wrap your finger around that one) came on the heels of a botched comeback where Indianapolis went from 23-0 down late the first half to 23-21 late in the fourth quarter, including an improbable touchdown shortly after the 23-15 score where Philip Rivers lost the ball in the end zone and, while trying to tip the ball out of bounds for a touchback, nudged the ball into the path of Colts linebacker Gary Brackett who scooped it up for a score. However, Joseph Addai was stuffed at the line on the two-point conversion, and a 29-yard field goal was pushed wide right by the usually reliable Adam Vinatieri. The day of miscues would belong to Peyton Manning, who heaved six interceptions (including one to Clinton Hart with nine seconds to go that sealed the game), one week after misfiring on a late drive against the New England Patriots (although the Colts’ defence was more in on that one, blowing a 20-10 fourth quarter lead). Now, the story of the game was Vinatieri’s miss, reminding some of Manning’s “idiot kicker” comment of Mike Vanderjagt, who had another famous miss in the 2005 playoffs (although the “idiot kicker” comment came in another incident), but Manning is looking a lot like an “idiot” himself, forcing a lot of plays (his six interceptions are more than some teams have all season) and just not being the calm, dependable quarterback we’ve known for so long. Now, 7-9 is incomprehensible, but unless Manning fixes his quirks the Colts’ great start- and its Super Bowl championship defence- may all be for naught.
• A baby in Mozambique was recently born with two heads, according to hospital officials in the capital of Maputo. The hospital hasn’t released many details but a neighbour for the mother revealed that the second head was connected to the abdomen and did not appear to be functioning. Hey, maybe that mother is on to something- if she can create a child with a second head affixed to its belly, that child has no excuses for spilling any of their food, because the other head should catch it. The unfortunate part? No belly flops…oh well, you can’t win them all.
• It’s easy to look with scorn at the amount of Leaf fans that make their way to places like Buffalo and Ottawa and think “they stay in their own rink”. However, look at it this way- considering Leaf ticket prices, going to a game in Buffalo or Ottawa is the only way Toronto Maple Leaf fans can see their team play, because the Leafs have priced them out of their own rink. If that’s not an argument for putting a second team in Toronto, I don’t know what is.
• Last, but not least, is a report that states that the Rhinoceros Party of Canada is back- as Neorhino.ca. The party is headed by François “Yo” Gourd, who had been involved with the old Rhinoceros Party. Gourd- who picked the nickname “Yo” since it would make his name sound like “yogurt” in French- promises, among other things, to replace the Canadian military’s guns with paintball guns, to guarantee all Canadians a weekly orgasm and marijuana portions, and a gas barbeque registry. Above all else, Gourd promises not to keep any of his promises if he is elected. Considering all the childish antics and meaningless posturing serious politicians commit, Gourd just may the best candidate out there- whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I’ll let you decide.

-DG