Italian futbol reaches new lows

Sports are known for great moments, superb players, and some of the worst decisions and strategies ever conceived. No matter the sport this is always true. Taking futbol (soccer) for example there are the greats like Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. There are great moments like these



and



but then there are things like I have just learned of.

It seems that Italian futbol is taking on a new low. Literally. They are lowering their shorts, in one case to their knees, to be able to win. It’s just awful.

Why in the world would any team do this? Well it’s being done during free kicks to block the view of the goalie. And it has been effective, at least in the recent Catania win. Is it worth it though?

According to Pietro Lo Monaco

“This is a strategy that [Walter] Zenga tries continually in training.”

Like that makes it worth doing. The referee should never allow this. It should not become a trend. It is the utmost in unsportsmanlike play. It is insulting to players and fans.

If this is the only way that Italian teams can win, they need to lose. I can only hope that this does not catch on and be displayed in the next World Cup.

Futbol is a great game, and the world enjoys it. But tricks like these don’t even deserve to be done or seen. Zenga knows better as do his players.

Major soccer star pulls a Spears/Lohan move - 9.24.2007.1.

There hasn’t been a lot of talk about soccer (futbol) in the United States since the initial appearance of Mr. David Beckham at the L.A. Galaxy early this summer. His lackluster performance was covered widely, bringing in huge numbers. But that was then, and little is to be found about how he is doing now.

Not that America’s interest in Soccer can be called meaningful. I mean, really, have you seen the ads for women’s soccer? The only reason the league even exists is because the men’s team can’t win. I mean the Ivory Coast outscored us in 2006 at the World Cup. Of course, all the women play better than me, and many others, but the U.S. leagues are still a joke.

But I didn’t intend to beat up on Women’s soccer. Nor soccer in general, though it needs a kick in the pants to get jump started. Beckham has yet to live up to expectations so far, and while there is more attention on the MLS, a lot is left to be desired.

Yet elsewhere in the world things aren’t going as well as would be expected either. One of the best players in the world seems to be traveling down a path Maradona and many others have gone. If this happens it would be a horrible shame.

I’m speaking of Ronaldinho. Watching him play, when he is on his game, is a site to be seen. The kid is good, top of the world good. And now it seems that’s all going to waste.

Reports from Spain are mentioning that Ronaldinho has taken a page from Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan. Recent, and repeated, sightings in nightclubs prior to matches seem to match his lackluster performances this year. The situation is extreme enough that the club president and manager have both made public statements about his need for help.

This is a huge fall from being named Footballer of the Year in 2005. What’s next? Shaving his head and falling over drunk on the sidelines? I pray not. Hopefully someone will help him, and not like the half-hearted rehab some celebrities engage in. But only time will tell. We shall see.

Because I want to see more ads like this