[FML] Serie A 2009/2010 (39 Viewers)
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Blog: Thumbs down for Totti
Francesco Totti’s celebration in the Derby was a remarkable display of folly. Serafino Ingardia gives the Giallorossi captain the pollice verso
Historically, the pollice verso – thumbs down – gesture was used in the Coliseum by the Emperor to condemn to death a defeated gladiator. It is a traditional memory of Ancient Rome but there was nothing worth remembering about it in Francesco Totti’s celebration last Sunday.
The Giallorossi captain ran towards the Lazio fans and let himself go just in front of their Curva. The Biancocelesti reaction was understandably furious even though they themselves had lacked fair play over the 90 minutes of 'war’.
There were scuffles in the tunnel too as several players took offence before the security intervened. You can only wonder what could have happened had a group of Ultras broke through the gates to claim the head of the Roma No 10.
Totti promptly apologised for his gesture but that was the minimum he could do considering that there were over 10 fans injured in the post-match riots, several stabbings and a general feeling of civil unrest in the surroundings of the Olimpico.
Of course, Totti was not responsible for that but if anything his celebration helped heat up an already exploding atmosphere. Totti is also a player whose CV has been spoilt by irrational and unprofessional behaviour, not to mention his 'lama’ spitting at Christian Poulsen at Euro 2004.
Now at the age of 33 you would think that over the years he has somehow learnt his lesson, perhaps looking at more professional colleagues such as Paolo Maldini or Alessandro Del Piero, who have given remarkable examples of sportsmanship.
His gesture can in some way be compared to Emmanuel Adebayor’s celebration in front of Arsenal’s fans. On that occasion, the Togo player escaped a ban as according to the FA he was fired up by “extremely provocative” chants from the supporters of his former club.
Now there is little doubt on the amount of abuse Totti receives in each Derby, but that is not enough to justify his defiant celebrations. He has done it many times before and it is no longer a laughing matter.
The Derby del Cupolone has a history for incendiary celebrations but it also has a history of violence. If there is anything players should avoid nowadays it is trying to cause even more trouble between sets of fans.
But perhaps this message can hardly be acknowledged by someone like Totti. There is nothing worse than a bad loser, but the game doesn’t need bad winners either. Indeed, it would have been better for Er Pupone to stick to his more conventional celebration and suck his thumb rather than shake it around upside down.
Francesco Totti’s celebration in the Derby was a remarkable display of folly. Serafino Ingardia gives the Giallorossi captain the pollice verso
Historically, the pollice verso – thumbs down – gesture was used in the Coliseum by the Emperor to condemn to death a defeated gladiator. It is a traditional memory of Ancient Rome but there was nothing worth remembering about it in Francesco Totti’s celebration last Sunday.
The Giallorossi captain ran towards the Lazio fans and let himself go just in front of their Curva. The Biancocelesti reaction was understandably furious even though they themselves had lacked fair play over the 90 minutes of 'war’.
There were scuffles in the tunnel too as several players took offence before the security intervened. You can only wonder what could have happened had a group of Ultras broke through the gates to claim the head of the Roma No 10.
Totti promptly apologised for his gesture but that was the minimum he could do considering that there were over 10 fans injured in the post-match riots, several stabbings and a general feeling of civil unrest in the surroundings of the Olimpico.
Of course, Totti was not responsible for that but if anything his celebration helped heat up an already exploding atmosphere. Totti is also a player whose CV has been spoilt by irrational and unprofessional behaviour, not to mention his 'lama’ spitting at Christian Poulsen at Euro 2004.
Now at the age of 33 you would think that over the years he has somehow learnt his lesson, perhaps looking at more professional colleagues such as Paolo Maldini or Alessandro Del Piero, who have given remarkable examples of sportsmanship.
His gesture can in some way be compared to Emmanuel Adebayor’s celebration in front of Arsenal’s fans. On that occasion, the Togo player escaped a ban as according to the FA he was fired up by “extremely provocative” chants from the supporters of his former club.
Now there is little doubt on the amount of abuse Totti receives in each Derby, but that is not enough to justify his defiant celebrations. He has done it many times before and it is no longer a laughing matter.
The Derby del Cupolone has a history for incendiary celebrations but it also has a history of violence. If there is anything players should avoid nowadays it is trying to cause even more trouble between sets of fans.
But perhaps this message can hardly be acknowledged by someone like Totti. There is nothing worse than a bad loser, but the game doesn’t need bad winners either. Indeed, it would have been better for Er Pupone to stick to his more conventional celebration and suck his thumb rather than shake it around upside down.
