Tiocfaidh Ar La Fanzine
The fanzine for republican-minded Celtic supporters
The TL Interview
Alessandro Del Piero
Juventus legend speaks to TL
Last season was a historic one for Juventus and Italian football in general. On the one hand your club was relegated with points deducted after a great victory on the pitch (scudetto no. 29) and on the other Italy won the World Championship. How did it feel to be part of 2 such contrasting situations?
Its odd to exactly describe what were the sensations I had. After the victory in the World Cup in July, I felt like I was walking on air; I was on the footballs Olympus, but then in September we plunged into the second division championship. I must admit that I wasnt in my best mood. Now its important to win the championship and go back to Serie A which is our appropriate setting and in which I like to compete.
There have been allegations that Juventus could be the victim of a conspiracy. Many things are unclear. By the way, we still consider Juventus the champions of Italy because we only believe in the pitchs result. Have you got any idea of what actually happened?
Its practically impossible to say what happened. Our team won the shield on the pitch, proving that we were the best team. Unfortunately, what we won has been taken away by sport justice.
Apart from the final, what is your personal favourite moment in the World Cup... was it the goal against Germany or another?
Yes, I agree with you: the goal versus Germany was the highest moment in my World Cup.
How did it feel to come home as a World Cup winner to a club who were relegated for something that was completely beyond the players' control?
As Ive already said, I was stunned, but now we will go back to the major league as soon as possible.
You stayed with Juventus after they were relegated, despite offers from elsewhere - what are your reasons for staying with the club, what makes Juventus so special for you?
My relationship with Juventus is excellent. I have won many games in Torino, that is why I thought it would be right to keep wearing that shirt in spite of the B league.
With all of the problems in Italy right now regarding actions against the fans after the sad events in Sicily, what is your view of the fans that follow football, do you still think that they are the most important aspect of the game? Do you have a good relationship with the Juventus supporters?
I have a good relationship with our supporters. The applause and chorus never miss on Sunday. Its very important for a football player to feel his fans involvement. It is clear that real supporters are keen on sport. They are fans of the team and never forget respect for others and value of good sportmanship. The ones that dont believe in these values hide their true nature behind sport. And they have to be punished!
In your new book you said that playing Celtic is among your top ten favourite games and playing at Celtic Park is one of the top highlights for you. This is great for us to hear from a player like you, can you explain a bit more why you feel this way about playing at our stadium and your memory of the matches?
Besides Glasgow being a magnificent city, I adore its ambience. Moreover, the Celtics supporters have a great sporting spiritthey keep on cheering on their team all the time.
I heard that you are a great afficionado of Rock music, who are your favourite bands? Do you like U2 and Simple Minds? (Did you know that Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill of Simple Minds are great sup-porters of Celtic too?) Which songs, al-bums are your favourites?
I didnt know that Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill were Celtic fans, but it confirms the positive opinion I had about them. And concerning U2 what can I saythey are one of my favorite rock bands together with Oasis with whom I am big friends.
Which other bands do you listen to... and what were you doing on stage with the Rolling Stones? In what other ways do you like to relax apart from music, are you interested in any other sports, or travelling... hobbies?
I like golf which I play as amateur but with satisfying results, than I like basketball (the NBA championship overall) and tennis.
The former Juventus manager Capello made a statement that he thought that General Franco did good things for Spain... we were very surprised to hear this from a football manager because we are against racism and the kind of politics that Franco stood for... do you think that footballers and managers should set an example when they make statements like this and that they should make a positive stand against racism?
Ive have always thought that racism was one of the worst diseases that civil society could create: I find it destabilizing, compromising and really dangerous. Players and all people involved in the sportsworld must do their best to give a good example and they must make campaigns against racism because it is a shameful and unciv-ilized thing.
What do you think about Scottish and English football... do you watch matches on TV? Which clubs do you like to watch most and why? Did you ever see a Celtic v rangers match?
When I have time I like to watch the Scottish and English football championships: I find them always very interesting.
Some Celtic supporters have a good friendship with Juventus supporters from Roma what do you think about friendship among football supporters from different countries?
I think it is absolutely positive: all supporters should learn to respect the opposing teams supporters in accordance with sportsmanship and fair-play values. We all should learn from these examples.
Juventus legend speaks to TL
Last season was a historic one for Juventus and Italian football in general. On the one hand your club was relegated with points deducted after a great victory on the pitch (scudetto no. 29) and on the other Italy won the World Championship. How did it feel to be part of 2 such contrasting situations?
Its odd to exactly describe what were the sensations I had. After the victory in the World Cup in July, I felt like I was walking on air; I was on the footballs Olympus, but then in September we plunged into the second division championship. I must admit that I wasnt in my best mood. Now its important to win the championship and go back to Serie A which is our appropriate setting and in which I like to compete.
There have been allegations that Juventus could be the victim of a conspiracy. Many things are unclear. By the way, we still consider Juventus the champions of Italy because we only believe in the pitchs result. Have you got any idea of what actually happened?
Its practically impossible to say what happened. Our team won the shield on the pitch, proving that we were the best team. Unfortunately, what we won has been taken away by sport justice.
Apart from the final, what is your personal favourite moment in the World Cup... was it the goal against Germany or another?
Yes, I agree with you: the goal versus Germany was the highest moment in my World Cup.
How did it feel to come home as a World Cup winner to a club who were relegated for something that was completely beyond the players' control?
As Ive already said, I was stunned, but now we will go back to the major league as soon as possible.
You stayed with Juventus after they were relegated, despite offers from elsewhere - what are your reasons for staying with the club, what makes Juventus so special for you?
My relationship with Juventus is excellent. I have won many games in Torino, that is why I thought it would be right to keep wearing that shirt in spite of the B league.
With all of the problems in Italy right now regarding actions against the fans after the sad events in Sicily, what is your view of the fans that follow football, do you still think that they are the most important aspect of the game? Do you have a good relationship with the Juventus supporters?
I have a good relationship with our supporters. The applause and chorus never miss on Sunday. Its very important for a football player to feel his fans involvement. It is clear that real supporters are keen on sport. They are fans of the team and never forget respect for others and value of good sportmanship. The ones that dont believe in these values hide their true nature behind sport. And they have to be punished!
In your new book you said that playing Celtic is among your top ten favourite games and playing at Celtic Park is one of the top highlights for you. This is great for us to hear from a player like you, can you explain a bit more why you feel this way about playing at our stadium and your memory of the matches?
Besides Glasgow being a magnificent city, I adore its ambience. Moreover, the Celtics supporters have a great sporting spiritthey keep on cheering on their team all the time.
I heard that you are a great afficionado of Rock music, who are your favourite bands? Do you like U2 and Simple Minds? (Did you know that Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill of Simple Minds are great sup-porters of Celtic too?) Which songs, al-bums are your favourites?
I didnt know that Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill were Celtic fans, but it confirms the positive opinion I had about them. And concerning U2 what can I saythey are one of my favorite rock bands together with Oasis with whom I am big friends.
Which other bands do you listen to... and what were you doing on stage with the Rolling Stones? In what other ways do you like to relax apart from music, are you interested in any other sports, or travelling... hobbies?
I like golf which I play as amateur but with satisfying results, than I like basketball (the NBA championship overall) and tennis.
The former Juventus manager Capello made a statement that he thought that General Franco did good things for Spain... we were very surprised to hear this from a football manager because we are against racism and the kind of politics that Franco stood for... do you think that footballers and managers should set an example when they make statements like this and that they should make a positive stand against racism?
Ive have always thought that racism was one of the worst diseases that civil society could create: I find it destabilizing, compromising and really dangerous. Players and all people involved in the sportsworld must do their best to give a good example and they must make campaigns against racism because it is a shameful and unciv-ilized thing.
What do you think about Scottish and English football... do you watch matches on TV? Which clubs do you like to watch most and why? Did you ever see a Celtic v rangers match?
When I have time I like to watch the Scottish and English football championships: I find them always very interesting.
Some Celtic supporters have a good friendship with Juventus supporters from Roma what do you think about friendship among football supporters from different countries?
I think it is absolutely positive: all supporters should learn to respect the opposing teams supporters in accordance with sportsmanship and fair-play values. We all should learn from these examples.
