The Italian Serie A Thread [2006-2007]

[Tosiek]

Foschi’s unwanted gift Saturday 30 December, 2006

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It has been revealed today that Palermo director of sport Rino Foschi received a grisly Christmas package from an unknown source.

Despite the Rosanero’s highly successful start to the campaign, several club representatives have been the victims of threatening messages in recent weeks.

According to newspaper La Sicilia’s website, Foschi’s wife opened a package left under the Christmas tree at the couple’s house in Cesena and discovered the bloody head of a baby goat.

The police are still trying to ascertain the identity and location of the sender but believe that the package was posted in Palermo.

“I’ve lived in Palermo for five years and the people here are unique, I think it’s just a joke,” Foschi told Rai televison, surprisingly playing down the incident.

“Perhaps whoever played this trick didn’t think I’d take the present home and that’s my fault. If I’d opened it in Palermo I would have thrown it away and forgotten about it,” he added.

Club President Maurizio Zamparini (pictured) was less forgiving about the ‘joke’ though, slamming the culprit as disgraceful.

“It’s a sick gesture that’s an insult to not just the club but the whole city of Palermo,” the outspoken owner commented.

Neither the club nor the Sicilian police have as yet revealed any clues as to the reasoning behind the threats.

 

[Harmsworth1]

A sad thing in a city, who's only joy is in football, because of a suppressing mafia...

 

[Tosiek]

Milan and Inter indicted! Thursday 25 January, 2007

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Milan and Inter have been indicted by Federal Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi as part of his latest investigation.

Both clubs have been accused of false accounting in order for them to register for the 2004-05 season and Palazzi decided to hand the case to the disciplinary commission after completing his enquiry.

The investigation was launched after goalkeeper Simone Brunelli reported that his signature had been counterfeited in 2003 when he was sold from Milan to Inter.

The unknown 23-year-old player, who is still owned by Inter but has been out of action since 2004 because of an injury, was sold to the Via Durini outfit during the summer of 2003.

However, he only learned about his transfer from the newspapers and received a signed contract at his home only after insisting the club send it to him.

He then discovered that the signature on the agreement was not his and that he was valued at £2m, despite his monthly wage only being £1,700.

Brunelli’s case, as well as a civil enquiry, caused the new Federal investigation to be launched. Milan and Inter will now be judged by the disciplinary commission for objective responsibility in the case.

Nerazzurri official Gabriele Oriali and the goalkeeper himself, who moved to Vis Pesaro on a loan deal in 2005, will also go in front of the commission.

Palazzi also transmitted the file to Federal Commissioner Luca Pancalli, who will be called to assess the situation and decide if the clubs will be handed any punishment.

Milan and Inter have both maintained their innocence. If found of wrongdoing they could be fined or docked points, even if the latter is unlikely according to reports in Italy.

 

[Harmsworth1]

Nothing official.... Everything can be explained.

 

[Tosiek]

Guidolin axed by Palermo

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Francesco Guidolin is no longer the Palermo boss after he was sacked by the Serie A outfit on Monday evening.

President Maurizio Zamparini took the decision after spending a day in crisis talks with numerous club officials and players.

“This is a step taken in order to save our season,” noted Zampa, who just weeks ago had insisted that the former Vicenza man would remain until the end of the campaign no matter what.

“We needed to shake up the environment and that is why we have opted to go with this solution.”

Guidolin will be replaced for the remainder of the term by his assistant Renzo Gobbo and youth team boss Rosario Pergolizzi.

“It was a tough decision to make, but one which was required to hand over some responsibility to the players,” added Zamparini.

“They need to give their very best over the last five matches to at least secure a place in the UEFA Cup.”

Palermo, who lost 4-3 at home to Parma on Sunday, were the revelation of the season after even battling with Inter for top spot in the early part of the campaign.

It had looked like they would easily finish up in the top four, but they’ve been on a disastrous slump since the 2-1 win over Catania on February 2.

They have failed to win a single game since then and have seen their 15-point advantage over fourth wiped out to such a degree that they are now seven points behind Milan – who now occupy the last remaining Champions League spot.

Guidolin, who returned to the club last summer after a year away, is rumoured to be wanted by Napoli and Torino for next term.

 

[Harmsworth1]

Again and again and again... When wil Zamparini ever stop?

 

[MaestroZidane]

He shuold have tried to modivate Palermo to play their hearts out in the UEFA cup. All this sure backfire on him, of course injuries didn't help their cause.

 

[Harmsworth1]

He shuold have tried to modivate Palermo to play their hearts out in the UEFA cup. All this sure backfire on him, of course injuries didn't help their cause.

i think it was Zamparini whou wanted Palermo out of it... And yes, injuries didn't help.

 

[Mikey]

I think its ridiculous how every year the clubs fighting for the fifth and sixth spot talk about how important it would be if they qualified for europe..... and then the next season none of these clubs put any effort in, and continuously put out second string sides. Whats the point?

I dont like a lot of people in the football world, but there is no one i respect less than Zamparini. He always says stupid *ss things to try and make the news, and has said repeatedly he wants to step down from his position because he's tired of the football world..... but he doesnt leave. While Palermo were in the UEFA cup this season, Zamparini expressed his desire for them to crash out of the competition, and hailed it is as a useless cup (which I agree with). And now Zamparini, and the players are all saying how imperative it is they qualify. Fiorentina is a club I know would put in a good effort for the UEFA cup, so for the good of serie A, lets hope that Palermo continues to go in decline.

 

[davidcfs]

I think its ridiculous how every year the clubs fighting for the fifth and sixth spot talk about how important it would be if they qualified for europe..... and then the next season none of these clubs put any effort in, and continuously put out second string sides. Whats the point?

I dont like a lot of people in the football world, but there is no one i respect less than Zamparini. He always says stupid *ss things to try and make the news, and has said repeatedly he wants to step down from his position because he's tired of the football world..... but he doesnt leave. While Palermo were in the UEFA cup this season, Zamparini expressed his desire for them to crash out of the competition, and hailed it is as a useless cup (which I agree with). And now Zamparini, and the players are all saying how imperative it is they qualify. Fiorentina is a club I know would put in a good effort for the UEFA cup, so for the good of serie A, lets hope that Palermo continues to go in decline.

Amen to that!