FOOTBALL is the prosecution of politics by other means—at least, that is how a lot of Italians seem to see it. Back in Mussolini's day, when Italy twice won the World Cup, success in football and politics went together. And since the second world war, an array of politicians and businessmen have reckoned that il calcio, as football is known, should still encompass both worlds.

FOOTBALL is the prosecution of politics by other means—at least, that is how a lot of Italians seem to see it. Back in Mussolini's day, when Italy twice won the World Cup, success in football and politics went together. And since the second world war, an array of politicians and businessmen have reckoned that il calcio, as football is known, should still encompass both worlds.