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The recent parody of a game between Lazio and Inter has caused a major outrage in Italy. The behaviour of most Lazio players was scandalous (with the notable exception of the Uruguayan goalkeeper Muslera) in that they didn’t behave professionally and gave Inter an easy win. This will probably mean that Lazio’s archrival AS Roma will not win this year’s scudetto. Prior to the game, Lazio fans had voiced their opinion on forums stating that they would prefer to have their team relegated to the 2nd division (Lazio are not yet sure to stay in the Italian Premier League) rather than seeing AS Roma win the title. I don’t have a problem with that. When you are a die hard fan, part of the passion is as much being against your favourite ennemy as it is in supporting your own team. That is why derbies are so intrinsic to football history. On top of that, there are well know ties between the Inter and Lazio fans which probably didn’t help the context of the game. I’m also quite sure AS Roma fans would have acted just the same had they been in the same position as the Lazio ones.

Where I do have a problem though is that the Lazio staff and players can’t decently behave as they did. We are talking about a professional team being paid heaps of euros to do their job as well as possible. I don’t care if Lazio’s President got death threats, a team just can’t stop playing because some fans have decided to dictate what they should be doing on the pitch. Don’t they have more pride in their club’s values?

This is even more damaging since after a couple of years of decline (decreasing crowds, increasing violence, corruption), this was the first time attendance was increasing again in most Italian clubs in a relatively Ultra free context. The last 2 championship days promise to be very tense in all the games involving Inter and Lazio and I don’t want to imagine the potential problems in the upcoming Italy Cup final between Inter and….AS Roma on Wednesday (this is the 5th time this happens in the last 6 finals). Lazio staff and players should meditate about the climate their behaviour have brought about.

Maracanazos think players should have the balls to act professionally.