Spitting Image

If I were Francesco Totti, I would maybe start looking for a transfer. I can't imagine he's a very popular figure in his home country these days. Twice now, the Italian star has caused the Azzurri to crash out of international competitions.

Without control of their own destiny, Italy was ousted from Euro 2004 when Sweden and Denmark arrived at the exact result they needed to keep Totti and company out of the next round. Suspicions of conspiracy aside, the Italians dug their own hole once again. This time, it was Totti caught on camera spitting at an opponent, resulting in a three-match ban. Losing one of their key offensive players ended up costing the Italians the tournament, as Sweden and Denmark both advanced to the next round on point differential.

This all seems maddeningly familiar. Yes, I know there was contact, but Totti clearly embellished a foul in the late stages of Italy's round of 16 match with South Korea in World Cup 2002, earning a second yellow card and expulsion from the match, which the Koreans eventually won.

Put plainly, the Italian "tradition" of extreme gamesmanship has to end. Now. Someone has to wake up to the fact that this unsporting behavior has cost the team it's reputation. Unfortunately, I'm sure the fingers will be pointed at Sweden and Denmark conspiring to score two goals apiece, just as the home-field advantage was largely blamed in Korea. And while that was certainly a factor (just ask Spain, who has a much bigger beef), the cynicism of Italian soccer has to end before the team can start any kind of rebound on the international stage.