What do you know…

In Italy last year more people went to the theatre than to a live football match.

The news has come as a shock in a country that often seems completely football mad. There are three national newspapers and hours of prime-time television debate devoted to the sport. Italy is the current holder of the World Cup, with only Brazil having won the competition more times.

So it looks like the scandal of fixed matched last year and recent stadium violence is making people stay home. Another reason is the expensive tickets, which made 13,5 millions Italians go to the theatre instead of 9 millions who went to a football match.