Serbian Accusations Against Italian Police Are Pure Spin

Serbian soccer officials are trying to put a fresh, albeit ridiculous spin on the riot their fans caused at the recent Italy Serbia Euro 2012 Qualifier in Genoa. Despite the fact that the whole world watched Serbian fans throwing flares onto the field and at rival Italy supporters. So instead of apologizing for this appalling behavior, the Serbs have accused their Italian counterparts of being responsible for the crowd disorder that caused the abandonment of the match. What a total crock, although Sepp Blatter, the FIFA President believes that if the local police had been tougher with the Serbs fans the problem would have not have so severe. Maybe so, but the jury is still out on that one.

However, it is the Serbian fans who are responsible for this debacle and should be punished appropriately. Not only did they attack the Italians but also their own goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic as the team made its way to the game. He was seen hiding in the Italian dressing room shaking like a leaf, according to the Italian coach. The team bus was also reportedly attacked with hoodlums going on board and threatening the team. This attack was completely premeditated, and by some reports was orchestrated by criminal elements for the fee of 200,000 Euros.

Whatever the final outcome, which should not necessarily result in the complete ejection of the Serb team from the competition, should not be rushed. A full police and UEFA investigation must be completed before any decision is made. What Soccer-Serbia is trying to do is emulate their fans, and bully the European federation into making a hasty decision in their favor. Their charges against Italy are baseless and must not be given any credence.

The solutions to this problem are not easy. If Serbia is allowed to continue in this competition, away games may have to be played without any of their fans present. Home games, if they progress further, could be rescheduled for a neutral venue. They could even be docked points. Whatever happens, the Serbs themselves, Soccer-Serbia and the government need to get a lot more ruthless withe the hooligans themselves. Long jail terms would send a clear message that this rioting will not be tolerated. This is how the English, long the scourge of European soccer, cleaned up their act. Serbia needs now to put this behind them and ensure that they rebuild their reputation by corrective action.