Demotion of Soccer Team Prompts Violence (after fixing a game)

[Renew Deal]

Police took control of ferry terminals and train stations Tuesday amid the prospect of more violence by soccer fans following Genoa's demotion from Italy's top division for fixing a game.

Fans set garbage cans on fire, overturned cars and motorcycles and assaulted photographers. Five police officers were reported injured, and one of the city center's newly restored streets was ruined.

The violence began early Tuesday after the country's highest soccer tribunal confirmed the decision to drop Genoa to the third division.

Genoa was found guilty of sports fraud for fixing its final game last season against Venezia. Genoa won 3-2 and was promoted from Serie B to Italy's top league after a 10-year absence.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050809/ap_on_sp_so_ne/soc_genoa_game_fixing_violence

[nickgutierrez]

1. Have fun in Serie C1, idiots.

Match fixing has no place in pro sports, and they're getting the appropriate punishment.

[wpelb]

2. This is why...

...soccer will probably never become a popular sport here. Too many ties; too easy to fix the game.