Football: ‘Italy scandal bad for football’

BERN: Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque blasted the betting scandal which has engulfed Italian football as bad for the game.

“I don’t at all like what is currently happening in Italy,” said Del Bosque. “It’s an extremely bad time for football, but there is a parallel business in this sport that is difficult to control. I’m not going to be drawn into the debate over whether this is favourable for us or not.

All that I know is that the Italian players are professionals and will go onto the pitch with the intention of beating us.”

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and several top players were arrested, while national team defender Domenico Criscito’s room was searched at Italy’s Euro 2012 training camp, as part of a probe into illegal betting.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2012.