Monday, February 05, 2007

AFTERMATH - 2

The funeral of the policeman murdered in Friday's football violence has taken place in Catania. What has upset me, and I should think the whole of Italy, is the image of his nine-year-old son standing there in a policeman's uniform. No words can express the tragedy and futility of this death more clearly than that.
If you follow this link and click on one of the four smaller photos, a screen will come up listing more.
For the media, politicians and football officials present at the funeral, I suppose today marks the end of a stage in football's crisis. But for ispettore Raciti's family, the pain is only just beginning.
No football is to be played in Italy for at least another week.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The largest enemy Man ever faces is himself. This is another sad story among so many these days, WL.

Anonymous said...

I only hope they catch those responsible.

Anonymous said...

A policeman wants to serve his community and is a good person, to think a child has lost a father in such a pointless way is heartbreaking.

Equally sad is the the former MP I wrote about today who drank herself to death like my friend Sue and has left two teenage boys without a mum. I can't imagine how my boys would feel without me, they are the most important thing in my life.

James Higham said...

Shirl is right in this.

Lee said...

How terribly sad. I feel for that little boy...his life has changed so suddenly and drastically...he will never again be as he was or was meant to be before this shocking, unnecessary killing of his father. What a waste of a life...over what? A stupid football game. Why don't these thugs understand it is just a game?

Anonymous said...

My heart goes out to that poor, ravaged family. A professional man, simply doing his job, is caught up in what was a pointles, needless and cowardly act.

No matter how much you love your particular sport, and my own passion for football is well documented, missing the first few minutes of a match is not the end of the world. So why the hell should it be the end of a life?

I saw last night's report on Sky News and it was more like a scene from Beirut than Italy. I am shocked, stunned and more angry than words can describe.

What shame these thugs have brought upon a nation who, from my own experience, are a friendly and warm hearted people.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I agree with everything you have all said. Such a tragic waste of a life and his little boy saying he wants to be a police inspector, too - it was heartbreaking.
Steve, there have been a lot of arrests so that is something. Ispettore Raciti's widow has said she hopes the culprits will think about what they have done and that this will all serve as a lesson to those who perpetrate such violence. Let's hope it does.

Ballpoint Wren said...

That scene reminds me of John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting his father's coffin. Do you think it will make an impact on rabid fans?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Bonnie. Yes, there it is reminiscent of that poignant scene, isn't it? I don't know if it will have an impact; let's hope so.

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