Soccer in southern Italy

They will be lining up at the turnstiles at the Stadio San Paulo in Naples this coming Sunday for the big game between the home team and the visitors from Verona. Of course, you will remember that name from Shakespearean plays—you might still hear Juliet on the balcony, looking for her lover.

There will be more than 60,000 fans jammed into the facility. They will be keyed up—the 2014-2015 Italian soccer season is just getting underway. The Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli, the official name of the Naples team, was founded in 1926. They had likely been kicking the round ball for years prior to that date, but that was when they began in earnest.

The team currently plays in Serie A, the highest level in Italian soccer. The team had its best seasons shortly after 1984, the year that Diego Maradona arrived in town. He had been convinced to come to Naples from Barcelona with a gentleman’s handshake, and €12 million. In short order—likely with a certain influence from Maradona—Gli Azzurri (the Blues) began their greatest years of triumph. They won the Serie A title in 1986-87 and also in 1989-90. The won the Copa Italia five times, and won the UEFA Cup in 1988-89.

In a nutshell, the Blues is the most successful soccer club in Southern Italy. In their early days, they were also nicknamed I Ciuccarelli, roughly translated as the donkeys. It was a derogatory term applied by their rivals from the north. There are tremendous rivalries in Italy between the north and south. Seems to be a global concept.

Maradona’s time in Naples grew short when he threw a few political comments into the ring. In 1990, he made disparaging remarks about the inequality in Italy. The World Cup semifinals were being played in Naples, between Argentina, Maradona’s homeland, and Italy. Maradona was also quoted as saying: “Naples has always been marginalized by the rest of Italy. It’s a city that suffers the most unfair racism.” He encouraged Neapolitans to cheer for Argentina.

Shortly thereafter, he tested positive for cocaine, and never again played for the Azzurri. His number 10 jersey is the only one retired by the team, several years after he finished playing for Naples.

In 2004, the club had fallen on hard times and went bankrupt. The bankruptcy was attributed to high wages, small crowds, a weak economy and no television money. The team was rescued by a group headed by Aurelio De Laurentis of cinema fame. The team was relegated to the third division, but quickly regained prominence to play in Serie A.

Of the 26 players on the main squad, only six hail from Italy. That is the nature of the beast—all teams are made up of players from the international pool. One of the stars of the Naples team is Mertens, a name familiar to most of us. The season ends next May 31. The team will play Sparta from Prague on September 18, then face three Italian teams: Udine, Palermo, and Reggiana.

A decent seat will set you back more than $100, with prices similar to those in the NFL. Rivalries between the clubs are ferocious. Be prepared to duck an explosive or two during the game. Do not wear the other team’s colours in the wrong zone—you will be removed, forcefully.

Now, if you excuse me, I’m off to watch the NFL’s opening season games.

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