The Monday Scratch

Footballers and betting: when values are betrayed in the darkness of illegality

The dark side of football: illegal betting and the lack of values of champions

14 April 2025

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But does this seem normal to you? We are not talking about the leading Inter. Or of Napoli, who tonight against Empoli will try to get back within three points of the Nerazzurri. Or the useless draw (1-1) in the derby between Lazio and Roma.

No, let us pause for a moment on this incredible affair of illegal betting. Without wishing to enter into the folds of the investigation, or on the fact that the protagonists have already served their time in sporting terms, but does it seem normal to you that important champions such as those we know, who have truly had everything in life, not least of all being paid handsomely for a job that coincides with their passion (the aspiration and desire of everyone), ended up in this abyss without a shudder of humanity, a spark of reaction except when they were discovered?

But does it seem normal to you that so, out of boredom, for fun, or because the friend did it, none of them felt a sense of rebellion, of healthy shame, of dutiful inadequacy? Now we all compete to be psychologists. To surround them with affection again. To hearten them because theirs is a disease, gambling, which as we know is really a scourge, which affects everyone across the board, especially the most fragile, and so on and so forth.

But they, the protagonists, why are they still surprised by the uproar? But why do we still have to remind these players who have come of age that they have a responsibility towards young people, towards their teams, towards their families and towards themselves? It is not enough to read Paulo Coelho to feel good about one's conscience. Or find values burnt like money at online poker

In addition to the bad example (but the damage is done), there is also the unpleasant feeling that, as usual, having discounted what had to be discounted, there is a desire to return to that comforting normality of façade (such as rejoining the national team) that does not disturb a football that is increasingly launched, like gamblers, on a continuous upward game: wages, budgets, salaries, rights, commissions, tickets.

It is a merry-go-round gone mad with clubs that have three coaches on the payroll, with sky-high deficits that are justified in the name of the result or the applause of the curve. Football, a beautiful game, is increasingly also an unhealthy carrier of incivility.

Like that cowardly beating of a 19-year-old referee in Riposto, Sicily, at an Under-17 match. 'Our children are not monsters,' said the parents of the beaters. Well, let's get on with it then.

Inter-Napoli, the never-ending challenge

Tonight it will be Napoli's turn, committed to the Maradona against Empoli, to try to replicate the new elongation of Inter, which, after the reassuring victory over Cagliari (3-1), has moved to + 6 from the partenopei. Conte must be careful. It is true that the Tuscans are easily beatable on paper, but the pressure of having to stay in their wake plays tricks on them. Logic dictates that in the end Napoli will pass easily, but the Tuscans, third last with 24 points, now know that every match is important for salvation.

In addition, there is another detail: Napoli has been going narrowly for several months. Out of nine games it has only won two. How come? Despite having no other commitments outside the league, it gives the impression of not being physically at its best.

It has problems with tightness, it is always in danger of getting caught up. Probably, beyond Conte's skills, and the excellent championship so far, there is a certain difference in 'cylinder capacity' compared to Inter. Inzaghi can count on a longer squad, also qualitatively.

This was seen on Saturday against Cagliari. In the decisive moment Arnautovic came out, author of the first goal and of a beautiful assist for Lautaro's one. The Austrian after a dark period has become a protagonist, like Frattesi and many other second lines who, in this decisive month, are becoming as important as the starters.

If you want to stay in the race on all fronts, as Inzaghi wants, this is the only way to do it. Napoli, on the other hand, is puzzling. The backbone of the team is still the same. In addition, it is easy that the sale of Kvaratskhelia has weighed in the long run. In any case, the title race is still wide open

Atalanta-Bologna 2-0

One of Sunday's highlights was the comeback of Atalanta, who, beating the red and blues at home, reclaimed third place (61) ahead of Juventus, fourth on 59 points. After three consecutive defeats, much criticism and general scepticism, La Dea returned to success thanks to goals from Retegui and Pasalic.

Two goals in twenty minutes that knocked out a Bologna not very reactive in the first half and not concrete enough in the second half. Protagonist of the day was Retegui, on his 23rd goal of the season and always incisive in the decisive moments. "We never stopped sweating," said Gasperini with ill-concealed irony. It was a good shake-up for the Dea, who left Bologna, less brilliant than usual, in fifth place. The counter-evidence will be seen in the next round at the Dall'Ara against Inter.

Another one that seems to have lost its drive is Fiorentina, stopped at zero to zero by Parma. Now the Viola, eighth at 53, feel the breath on the neck of AC Milan (51), who, after the overwhelming outburst in Udine (0-4), seem suddenly reborn. Until a week ago, the Rossoneri were all poor pilgrims without a game and with their heads in the clouds.

Now, to hear the drumbeat, everything has changed. Conceicao, mistreated until yesterday, has found the square thanks to the three-man defence. And Milan began to fly. With Leao scoring a fabulous goal and Hernadez, also in net, back on top.

Usual exaggerations, let's face it.

Not so much the goals, all beautiful, as this supposed resurrection that came about thanks to a simple change of module. It is not enough to change a tactical module. You have to change the players. Which the Rossoneri, finally on the ball, have done. Then there is another truth: that Udinese is no longer the team of a few months ago. By now safe from B, they play without nerve and speed. It is not a probing test to be able to say that the crisis is over. Even if winning is the best medicine to regain confidence and good results.

Juventus slowly rises

Good news also from Madama, who like salmon go upstream. On Saturday it beat Lecce (2-1) with goals from Koopmeiners and Yildiz, dominating in the first half as never before this season. In the final there was, it is true, a certain suffering, perhaps due to some not too happy changes.

Overall, however, the Bianconeri seemed reborn. Even Vlahovic, also dry, was one of the best, chipping in with his assists in both goals. Juve, now fourth, were again overtaken by Atalanta, but there is a new air in the Bianconeri's house. Dr Tudor's 'cure' is starting to work even with Koopmeiners, finally unblocked and incisive. There is a difference in attitude. More aggressive, more vertical. In a word, more concrete. Champions League is certainly within reach

Lazio v Roma (1-1)

At the Stadio Olimpico it ended in a draw that, in terms of number of chances and dominance, left more regrets for Baroni than for Ranieri, although Lazio retain sixth place (56 points) ahead of Roma (54). The race for the Champions League therefore continues, after a high-tension challenge in which the main protagonists - Svilar in particular - were the goalkeepers,

Lazio, fresh from their defeat to Bodo in Norway, took the lead in the second half through Romagnoli's precise header followed by Roma's equaliser, signed by Soulè who froze the Biancocelesti with a sudden strike from outside the box. Ranieri, always victorious in the previous five derbies, thus remains unbeaten and, while awaiting Dybala's return, leads the Giallorossi to their 16th consecutive useful result. For the record, before the derby there were clashes between ultras and police. With 13 police officers injured.