It is almost four years now since Calciopoli, the scandal that rocked Italian football and that had harsh repercussions for both Milan and Juve whilst Fiorentina and Lazio were also penalised. Since the scandal, Inter has dominated Serie A and this is not only just a mere coincidence. Rather, Calciopoli is the ONLY reason that Inter dominate Italian football and this is a fact.

Let us just break this down so that if any Interisti is listening they may, we pray, understand why this is so. And it is not really difficult to see why this is so. With Juve being relegated to Serie B in 2006-07 and with Milan being docked 15 points for the start of that same season along with Lazio and Fiorentina also being docked points, Inter basically were given the title they ‘won’ in 2006-07 with no real title challengers left other than the much overrated Roma.

This is without mentioning the fact that Inter were handed the 2005-06 Serie A. How can any Interisti really believe that they won the 2005-06 Scudetto? Juve won it and the fact that is was handed to Inter was outrageous and completely scandalous.

So,the first two of the four Serie A titles ‘won’ by Inter clearly were won as a direct result of Calciopoli. No Interisti could argue the first that is for sure. As for the second title (2005-06), no Inter fan has a case to say the Calciopoli did not literally hand that one to them also. With Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio all docked points from the start, the main objective for these sides was to make Europe and more specifically, the Champions League where the real money is.

The following season (2007-08) Juve were promoted back to Serie A but they were not the all conquering Juve of old. The Old Lady was a shadow of her former self upon return to the top flight and did not, in her first season back, threaten to be serious title contenders.

Other possible title challengers, like Roma, Milan and Fiorentina simply did not have the quality in depth that Inter had. And why? Because not only did Inter receive the 2005-06 Serie A title and be given a significant advantage for the 2006-07 season, but as a direct result of Calciopoli Inter suddenly became the place to be for any star on the peninsula. Whilst in addition, teams like Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio clearly struggled to attract players not least because of the tarnished reputations of their clubs but also because of the uncertainty surrounding the clubs at that time and the small fact that these clubs would have to start the new campaign already behind the pack.

So the stars flocked to the Nerazzurri and, in the case of Juve, fled. Notably, two players that fled Juve arrived at Inter and one in particular would become their main protagonist for more Serie A success. A certain Ibrahimovic is the player I allude to here.

Aside from last season, Roma were the only side to a mount serious challenge to Inter for the Serie A title in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. Yet, Roma were never really good enough for they had a squad that paled in comparison to the much more stronger Inter squad.

Inter have basically not been challenged in their three title winning seasons following the 2005-06 title they were given. The penalties handed out during Calciopoli on the likes of Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio effectively ruled them out of contention in the 2006-07 season. Today, Calciopoli’s effects on these clubs is minimal, however, Juve are still recovering from the shock of being relegated to Serie B.

If it were not for Calciopoli, Inter would not have acquired Ibrahimovic. They would not have so easily ‘won’ a Championship with a stronger Juve side, the Juve of 2005. Mancini would have not out-foxed Capello to any title let along Serie A. Inter simply would not have won four Serie A titles in a row and so again, the only reason Inter now dominate Italian football is because of Calciopoli.

Watch out for my next post when I look into who exactly was responsible for Calciopoli