Play in Italy has been suspended indefinitely due to rioting that caused the death of one police officer and scores of injuries to fans and officials following the Sicilian derby between Palermo and Catania on Friday. While tough talk from Serie A officials suggested that soccer could be suspended for the remainder of the season, Antonio Matarrese, the league’s financial director, declared later that the show must go on despite the atrocities. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) was to meet late Monday to discuss long-term measures to stop fan violence.
If nothing else, play must resume for the simple reason that soccer is a business that employs many in Italy. The Associated Press has a look at that economic impact. AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma, for example, together generated more than $1 billion in TV revenue, sponsorship, and match-day sales revenues. For these big clubs, ticket sales represent between 10-20 percent of revenues, while TV contributes an even more substantial 50-60 percent of revenue. In fact, the AP points out that Mediaset SpA, the company that sells TV rights, would have grounds to sue if the season was abandoned. Don’t forget that betting is big business, too: the Italian government receives some $4 million in tax revenues from legal betting every weekend. In 2006, the government took in $372.4 million in from sports betting.