If you happen to be on your travels in Italy this week and come across
Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, then as the great Basil Fawlty would
say, “Don’t mention the war!”
Buffon has come under great pressure this week from worried Parma fans who
are demanding to know why their goalkeeper has asked to given squad number
88.
The figure is popularly used by fascists because 'H' is the eighth letter
of the alphabet, so 88 signifies 'HH' - 'Heil Hitler. Word has it that
Boffan also wore a T-Shirt under his jersey last season with the words,
“Boia chi molla” printed on it. This translates to, “Death to those who
surrender,” and was a slogan which has been widely used by Nazis.
Buffon has been quick to put the fans at ease though and given a full
explanation why he wanted the number 88. “I picked 88 because the number
is made of four circles, which represent the Italian expression: The
strong man has four balls.”
Of course, why didn’t we realise that in the first place? Anyway, at least
it shows he can’t be a lover of Hitler because if rumours are to be
believed Hitler certainly didn’t have four balls! How does the song go
again?
Incidentally, suggestions that Paul Merson has always wanted the number 11
shirt because the letters AA symbolise membership to one of his favourite
clubs, are apparently way off the mark.
