SoccerWeird But True

How (Not) To Reverse Your Three-Year Soccer Ban: A Hunger Strike

Italian soccer has been overwhelmed by match-fixing scandals in recent years, and the latest controversy involving former Siena and current Verona defender Emanuele Pesoli is no exception. The 31-year-old Pesoli received a three-year ban on Friday (Pesoli’s manager at Siena, Antonio Conte, now the manager of Juventus, received a 10-month ban for not reporting the match-fixing antics) from the FIGC, effectively ending his career. So Pesoli did what any desperate, accused criminal would do: he stopped eating.

Some thought it was all talk, but Pesoli has now chained himself to the gates of the FIGC and gone on a hunger strike.

The Telegraph has Pesoli’s explanation:

“‘I am hurt by the sentence and I would like to confront those who accuse me,’ Pesoli, 31, has said while questioning the testimony of other players which helped convict him.

‘It is a strong protest but they are ruining my life for something I have not done. I will stay here until I can’t do it anymore.’”

Pesoli claims that when match-fixers approached him, he rebuffed their advances. So what does he want, exactly? To face his accusers, who incidentally are other players who swung the blame his way.

Pesoli looks pretty suave for a man on a hunger strike, wearing a green t-shit, jean shorts, sunglasses folded on the neck of his shirt and a few bottles of water. Oh yeah: he also has a cell phone. Because it’s not a hunger strike unless you can order pizza to yourself.

But Pesoli’s strike will be to no avail, according to FIGC director Antonello Valentini:

“‘After having expressed to you my human solidarity, I invite you to reflect on this course of action. I make a promise to ensure you’ll have a meeting with the FIGC President after his return from vacation. [...]
‘We understand your disappointment and anger, as you consider yourself innocent, but you will be able to have your say at the appeal.’

Well, then. Pesoli can’t appeal until August 20th, which is eight days from now. According to the always-reliable Yahoo! Answers, you can go three weeks to a month without food. So Pesoli should be fine in the interim.

Photo via Reuters

[Telegraph, via Dirty Tackle]

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