Napoli condemn The Guardian

Napoli wrote an official response to Barry Glendenning and The Guardian condemning “dated, dumb, vulgar cliche” in an article referencing the mafia.

This morning he wrote a transfer round-up in the English newspaper referring to a rumour Napoli are interested in signing Manchester United man Danny Welbeck.

“Napoli sporting director Riccardo Bigon has let Welbeck's agent know that Napoli are interested in signing up his client, but with Everton and Tottenham also interested, the club from one of Italy’s mafia strongholds will need to make Manchester United and Welbeck himself an offer they can’t refuse.”

This afternoon the response arrived from the official Napoli website and director of communication Nicola Lombardo, an open letter to The Guardian.

“Dear Mr Prior,

“I am aware that it can happen that an article is not read carefully before being published. It is possible that as the editor of the Guardian's sports pages you may not have realised what was written. If not, we would be dismayed to read such a dated, dumb, vulgar cliche as this, linking the city of Naples to the mafia.

“This is an archaic impression that is also rejected by English tourists who every year choose Italy - and Napoli - as their holiday destination.

“They would not do that if they thought that Naples is Italy's mafia stronghold, a place where people fire at or rob each other in the street.

“We would not judge a city like Newcastle on the basis of MTV's Geordie Shore; we do not think all of that city's inhabitants are rude, gym-addicted and sociopathic. It is a shame to see the Guardian did not afford Napoli the same courtesy.

“I would still prefer to think that you had not read the article, and in this case, I would ask for a correction, in the name of both Neapolitans and Italians.

“Kind regards.”

http://football-italia.net/48608/napoli-condemn-guardian

Robespierre wrote:yeah , in Italy the media are talking much about Guardian's artcle
Not even a Lega Nord private member would have written a similar thing probably
what was the need to write it for a Wellbeck rumour ? lol

Mule:

dronte wrote:

We would not judge a city like Newcastle on the basis of MTV's Geordie Shore; we do not think all of that city's inhabitants are rude, gym-addicted and sociopathic.

Lex wrote:The idea that tourists would be put off going to Naples because of ONE WORD printed in the sports section of a newspaper is ludicrous Cry me a goddamn river

Arquitescu wrote:

Robespierre wrote:yeah , in Italy the media are talking much about Guardian's artcle
Not even a Lega Nord private member would have written a similar thing probably
what was the need to write it for a Wellbeck rumour ? lol

e.g my whole mother's side of the family.   

I agree as a whole. Guardian is a respected newspaper and should not resort to such velvet cake cliches. Though not offensive, it is below their standard of writing.

And I know Mole is "rude, gym-addicted" but he is not a sociopath.

And yes Nick, there is a Geordie Shore. Mole also participates voluntarily in it. Here he is:

Mule:

Lex wrote:The idea that tourists would be put off going to Naples because of ONE WORD printed in the sports section of a newspaper is ludicrous :rofl:Cry me a goddamn river

We would not judge a city like Newcastle on the basis of MTV's Geordie Shore; we do not think all of that city's inhabitants are rude, gym-addicted and sociopathic. It is a shame to see the Guardian did not afford Napoli the same courtesy.

Forza wrote:Great article by Napoli. I think they achieved everything they wanted to achieve with that response to the Guardian. They thoroughly embarrassed the Guardian and dissociated themselves from the word 'mafia' in an entertaining way that has probably been read by millions of people by now.

'Mafia' is frequently used by the English media to describe Italian sporting teams regardless of any links to the mafia they may or may not have. Perhaps it is only one word Lex, but you can't blame Napoli for refuting such an incongruous and unnecessary allegation.