© EuroFootball.com
Football in Italy should stop for two to three years in order to cleanse itself from corruption, says the country's Prime Minister Mario Monti.
The government leader spoke to journalists after the scandalous Monday, when law enforcement officials arrested a couple of dozen people, including the captain of AS Roma "Lazio" team Stefano Mauri.
Raids were carried out in 30 houses, including those of "Serie A", "Serie B" and lower league players, coaches, and staff. Officials also questioned Turin's "Juventus" coach Antonio Conte and searched the belongings of Italy's national team defender Domenico Criscito at the national team's camp.
Many are suspected of possible illegal links with bookmakers and match-fixing.
"I am considering whether it would be good to stop football for a couple of years," Monti said. "It is especially painful when a sport that should be an example of fairness and competition turns into lies and demagoguery."
