Nick Against the World (67 Viewers)

Vinman

2013 Prediction Cup Champ
Jul 16, 2002
11,482
looks like Italy isnt the only one with rascist/ethnic bashing fans

from channel4-


Mafia T-shirts anger Sicilians Friday 15 September, 2006

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Officials in Sicily have reacted angrily to the sale of T-shirts identifying Palermo with the Mafia ahead of last night’s clash at West Ham.

The shirts were sold outside of the ground in London before the Rosanero’s 1-0 win, souvenirs which haven’t been digested by the Sicilian authorities.

“Such an initiative offends all of us here in Sicily,” stated Salvatore Cuffaro, the President of the Sicilian Region.

“We are tired of being associated with the Mafia,” he added. “This is an old and outdated stereotype.”

The incriminated T-shirt read 'The Hammers vs The Mafia’ and included the stereotypical image of a hand holding puppet strings – one often associated to the infamous criminal organisation.

“I don’t know who is responsible for this, but we cannot accept this kind of behaviour – although it was probably just meant to be a joke,” added Cuffaro.

“Sicily and the Sicilians have once again been identified with the Mafia and we can only be offended by this.

“When West Ham come to the Barbera Stadium for the return leg, we will be sure to prove to them how civilised we are by showing them Sicily’s real face,” he noted. “We loathe the Mafia!”
 

Seven

In bocca al lupo, Fabio.
Jun 25, 2003
39,441
Obviously it's insulting and Palermo's football club might have nothing in common with the maffia, but let's be fair: Sicily will always be identified with maffia.
 

Vinman

2013 Prediction Cup Champ
Jul 16, 2002
11,482
Seven said:
Obviously it's insulting and Palermo's football club might have nothing in common with the maffia, but let's be fair: Sicily will always be identified with maffia.

ermm...its M A F I A

and there is much more to Sicily than the mafia...
 

JCK

Biased
JCK
May 11, 2004
125,414
Vinman said:
ermm...its M A F I A

and there is much more to Sicily than the mafia...
I have no doubt, but this is the general image that people have.

Would you like to know why? Only because of American movies.
 

AngelaL

Jinx Minx
Aug 25, 2006
10,214
Seven said:
Obviously it's insulting and Palermo's football club might have nothing in common with the maffia, but let's be fair: Sicily will always be identified with maffia.
Even though it's been based in Milan ... with Don Guido at the head of his mottley interesti morons!:D

Seriously though, it is racist & West Ham should get their knuckles rapped!
 

JCK

Biased
JCK
May 11, 2004
125,414
Vinman said:
the Godfather was real ???:confused2
That's the point, Vin. Almost all American movies that are about the mafia associate the organization with Sicily. Knowing that most American movies are commercial and their main purpose to reach as many people as possible, it has become a general conception that Sicily is the home of the mafia and people start to get to ignore what's more in the island.
 

The Pado

Filthy Gobbo
Jul 12, 2002
9,939
Yes, nevermind how it was the Sicilian authorities and the Palermitan people that worked so hard to eradicate the mafia from not only Palermo and Sicily but also from Sicilian culture. Nevermind the many great and brave people who lost their lives in that struggle. If it's Palermo then it's just a bunch of mobsters.

Great attitude, but unfortunately it takes decades to change the way people think.
 

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