The KNVB have rejected the call for a friendly match to be played between Italy and Netherlands to raise funds for the damage caused by Feyenoord fans in Rome last week.
- By Michael Bell
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Gianni Alemanno, the mayor of Rome, contacted the KNVB with the idea of playing a friendly match between the two nations, but the Dutch FA rejected the idea.
A statement from the KNVB read, “We also think it’s sad what happened in Rome. But we’re not a party in this at all. It’s about fans of one club who misbehaved in a foreign country.”
Fans of Feyenoord have caused thousands of euro damage to the Italian capital, damaging the famous Spanish steps and the newly restored 17th century Barcaccia fountain. Twenty-three fans were arrested before the Europa League between the Rotterdam club and Roma, but UEFA have stated they will not punish Feyenoord and instead left the local authorities with the responsibility of punishing the guilty.
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Any damage caused in Rome has nothing whatever to do with the KNVB, Feyenoord the club, or the majority of the peaceful supporters that attended the game.
How can you attach accountability or some moral duty to a party for damages, when they are clearly not culpable.
Typical hysterical nonsense that surrounds football these days.
I think italy thought KNVB will agree the same way after KNVB agree to play bayern munich friendly to compensate arjen robben injury some time ago. I allways think that it was not a good idea playing against a club just because of one player and then especially we lost. Italy is a nation and Bayern munich is a club….it is not same but the reason to play the friendly should be more than just because of one player or a group of supporters