sports
‘An unacceptable disgrace’: anger and sadness as Italy miss out on World Cup again
“Let’s just leave it be,” said Valentino del Duca. The restaurant worker from Rome was in no mood to talk about football after the Italian national team delivered another agonising blow, missing out on qualification for the World Cup finals for the third time in a row.
TL;DR
- Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup finals for the third time in a row.
- The elimination followed a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The situation has been described as a 'World Cup curse' and a 'third apocalypse'.
- There are concerns about a lack of young football talent and fewer children playing the sport.
- Politicians are demanding the resignation of the Italian football federation president, Gabriele Gravina.
- Matteo Renzi stated that Italian football has failed and is part of the country's culture and national identity.
- The despondency contrasts sharply with the celebrations after winning Euro 2020.
- Some suggest focusing more attention on other sports like tennis, which has successful athletes like Jannik Sinner.
- The sports minister expressed sadness that a generation may not experience the thrill of their national team playing in a World Cup.