- Title: CHINA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Chinese fans get behind embattled Juventus
- Date: 6th August 2012
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 6, 2012) (REUTERS) FANS SCREAMING JUVENTUS PLAYERS WALKING ON FIELD FANS CHEERING PLAYERS RUNNING ON FIELD 57-YEAR OLD FAN, YANG YULAN WATCHING TRAINING WITH WOMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 57-YEAR OLD FAN YANG YULAN SAYING: "I like every one of the players, but the one I like the most is still (Andrea) Pirlo. I think he keeps a low profile and is very dedicated to his work. His dedication encourages me greatly." ANDREA PIRLO AND OTHER PLAYERS PLAYING ON FIELD VARIOUS OF PLAYERS PLAYING ON FIELD HANDS HOLDING SIGN READING "CONTE, PEPE, BONUCCI" VARIOUS OF 38-YEAR OLD FAN, LIU XIANG LEADING CHANTS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 38-YEAR OLD FAN, LIU XIANG SAYING: "Why is it always me? It's always been like that since the Calciopoli scandal. It is a groundless accusation. Can you say which Juventus game during Calciopoli was match-fixed? None! Why does Juventus have to be demoted? There's only one catchphrase that can explain that - that is the jealousy of others." FAN HOLDING WITH PIRLO'S PICTURE FOOTBALL FAN FANNING HERSELF PLAYERS IN MATCH PRACTICE
- Embargoed: 21st August 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- City:
- Country: China
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAA4R5TWCTWFGV5MAAS40VT44OJ
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Serie A winners Juventus held an open training at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium on Monday (August 6), ahead of their Supercoppa Italia match against Napoli this weekend.
Juventus will face the Coppa Italia winners in the 25th edition of the Italian Super Cup in the Chinese capital on Saturday (August 11).
Nearly 1000 Chinese fans showed up to cheer for the team.
"I like every one of the players, but the one I like the most is still (Andrea) Pirlo. I think he keeps a low profile and is very dedicated to his work. His dedication encourages me greatly," said 57-year old long-time fan Yang Yulan.
Some of the fans took the opportunity to express their indignation towards the allegations that centre back Leonardo Bonucci and winger Simone Pepe were involved in match-fixing.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte is facing a long ban from football after he was accused of failing to report the alleged match-fixing.
"Why always me? (In English). Why is it always me? It's always been like that since the Calciopoli scandal," said enthusiastic Juventus local fan leader Liu Xiang.
"It is a groundless accusation. Can you say which Juventus game during Calciopoli was match-fixed? None! Why does Juventus have to be demoted? There's only one catchphrase that can explain that - that is the jealousy of others."
Bonucci could face a three-and-a-half year ban, and Pepe suspended for a year.
The Serie A winners were beaten by Napoli 2-0 in the Italian Cup finals in May, and Napoli's coach on Sunday (August 5) had said that his team is "hungrier than Juventus" to win. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
