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Scirea widow bans Balo insults[/FONT]
Wednesday 2 December, 2009
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Juventus legend Gaetano Scirea’s widow has urged fans to stop the racist chants against Mario Balotelli. “Honour my husband. I have faith in you.”
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Defender Scirea won the 1982 World Cup and was still working for Juve when he died in a car crash in Poland during a scouting mission for the club.
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The Curva Scirea was named in his honour and is where the hardline ultras stand in the Stadio Olimpico.
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These are also the same supporters who have caused controversy by repeatedly insulting Inter striker Balotelli and Saturday’s game could be suspended if the chants continue.
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“I too will be at the Olimpico on Saturday evening,” wrote widow Mariella Scirea in an open letter for La Stampa newspaper.
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“I hope that Juventus-Inter can be a fair game on the pitch and full of common sense in the stands. Naturally, let the best team win.
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“A lot has been written about the chants, both racist and not, that the Juventus ultras have aimed at Balotelli.
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“Gaetano was against any type of insult – aimed at the colour of your skin, to the deceased, to people, whether they were opponents or the mothers of opponents.
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“I have faith in our fans, I have faith in the willingness to be superior to the basest instincts and the worst provocation.
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“If Balotelli plays, he is to be considered an opponent and nothing more.”
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Juventus have already been fined for the chants, but the ultras continue to maintain they are merely using racist trigger words to put this opponent off his game.
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“Racism is a plague on society, to combat it football clubs need a continual and positive dialogue with the State,” continued Scirea. “Stadiums may not be theatres, but nor should they become sewers.
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“A seating area that carries Gaetano Scirea’s name should be doubly committed to carrying on the fight against racism as well as all vulgar and offensive chants. All of them, without distinction.
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“Calling yourself the Curva Scirea is a privilege and brings with it responsibility. My husband had a concept of football that was outside the norm. He lived it without the hysteria that today seems to have become a fixture of the system.
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“On September 3 it was 20 years since Gaetano’s death and the fans continue to be very close to him – and me – in their affection.
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“This is why I would never want to ask if it was still worth it for this curva to carry his name.”
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