The Massimino was sadly empty for much of last season following the devastating riots that killed police chief Filippo Raciti a year ago this month. Catania’s supporters were held up as the epitome of the problems wracking the sport and some called for them to be thrown out of Serie A. It is for this reason, among others, I am proud to report they have found a wonderful new way of dealing with the growing tension whipped up by referees and media – good old-fashioned sarcasm.
When Stefano Farina made some decisions they disagreed with, most notably allowing Inter’s opener to stand despite Esteban Cambiasso being offside, the initial reaction was to boo and shout abuse, some even considered throwing things on to the pitch in protest. It is in this kind of atmosphere that violence breeds like a virus, as anger takes over common sense.
Instead, some bright spark in the crowd figured out the best response was with a smile. Never have I seen the entire stadium enjoying a defeat so very much, as they turned their dislike of Farina into a game the whole arena could join in. His every whistle was greeted with a standing ovation, cheers swept round the Massimino for the last half-hour of their 2-0 loss and choice chants broke out treating the errant official like the new Diego Armando Maradona.
It was a brilliant plan. Not only did the fans leave the stadium laughing at their misfortune and feeling they had vented frustration in a positive – albeit sarcastic – way, but it seemed to infuriate Farina a lot more than if he had been booed in the traditional style. The international referee stormed off the pitch without hanging around for the ‘terzo tempo’ handshake pantomime, eyes popping out of his skull with sheer rage.
It brought back all the wonderful things about the Italian Ultra culture that so often get buried in amongst the few idiots who use it as an excuse for violence, racism or anti-Semitism. This is a long-standing ethos of insulting your opponents while making them laugh, giving the jibes as good as you get and meeting your mates in the bar to trash talk over your respective teams. If we can bring that back to the masses and sweep them up in silliness rather than violent outpourings of anger, maybe we can see a different atmosphere develop throughout the calcio world – and keep referees on their toes.
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