FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Italy might claim to have the world’s best defenders, but soccer chief Luciano Nizzola admitted on Sunday that he fears some of them will fall foul of the new rules at France ‘98. Italians are used to the rough and tumble of the Serie A, but the rules being introduced at the World Cup finals-which will see tackles from behind punished with a sending off-is worrying team officials. And the concern is there despite Cesare Maldini’s squad having been given a teach-in by Italy’s World Cup referee, Pierluigi Collina. Nizzola, who is president of the Italian football federation, said: “I don’t know the referee for our first match, but I’m confident about his abilities because all the best referees in the world are here.” On the other hand, what does worry me are the new rules, because they are difficult to take on board in such a short time. “The Italian team have been preparing for this, thanks to a session with Collina, but I’m still a bit preoccupied.” Nizzola, who was voted in to replace Antonio Mattarese in the wake of Italy’s debacle at Euro 96, is anxious about his first tournament in charge.

“When I think about the World Cup finals starting, I get very tense and nervous,” he admitted. “I can only really relax when I’m with Maldini and the players. They make me feel calm about things.”  The first match, against Chile, will be the hardest-both because of the strength of the opposition and the psychological problems you always get on impact with the World Cup finals. “Let’s hope we can win it,” he said of Thursday’s match in Bordeaux. Maldini is also wary of the new rules, and on Saturday evening expressed a fear of his own.

“What I’m not clear about is how much of a suspension a player is going to get if he gets sent off for a tackle from behind,” he said. “Is it going to be one match, or two matches. Is there the risk that a player might miss all of the group phase?” The World Cup rules stipulate a one-match ban for a red card, although the suspension can be increased by the disciplinary committee, depending on the seriousness of the incident.