THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

Within the press area of the Stadio Sant'Elia, Beatrice Paretti, a Sky Italia sports journalist, scrunched her eyebrows after she received instructions from her immediate supervisor. Frowning slightly, she inquired for clarity: "Boss!" She spoke slowly but in a steady voice while holding her phone against her ear. "Did you just ask me not to interview Zachary about how he felt about the racist behavior of the Cagliari fans? Racism is a talking point that can garner the attention of the masses. It can also improve our viewership. So, as reporters, why should we ignore this topic no matter how sensitive it is?"

Mario Romano, one of the top dogs managing Sky Italia Turin, sighed from the other end of the line. "Beatrice! Let me ask you this. Over the years, Italian football has been dragged through the mud because of claims of racist behavior against foreign footballers. As a result, our public image outside Italy is so poor that foreigners think that a black or Asian player will surely face racial insults as long as he appears in Italy. Do you know why?"

"Isn't that simply because some fans, for instance, those of Cagliari, are prone to racist behavior?" She voiced her doubts.

"Yes, there's that," Mario replied with another sigh. "Some of the fans around Italy are really racist while supporting their respective team. That's a fact. But that does not mean we have the football league with the most racist incidents in Europe. For instance, if you were to investigate meticulously, you would realize that Spain and France, which happen to be some of the most preferred destinations for every professional footballer worldwide, also experience racist incidents during professional matches almost every other year. But do you know why Spain and France still have a good reputation even after experiencing all those incidents?"

Beatrice didn't respond but quietly waited for her boss to continue.

Taking the cue, Mario said from the other end of the line, "All those leagues have managed to maintain their perfect reputations because the media of their respective countries cooperates with them. Of course, if a racist incident happened during a match, the Spanish or French media would cooperate with the football governing body to issue a statement against the incident. But they will not make it the center of the news by using statements such as 'racism - the cancer affecting Italian football' like we usually do. Instead, they'll play it down by using words like some bad seeds among the fans destroyed the harmonious football atmosphere during the match between teams A and B by insulting players so and so. In that way, they are still fighting against racism, but in such a clever way that they don't affect the reputation of their respective leagues."

"So, do you mean that we should follow their example and downplay the issue of the Cagliari fans racially abusing Zachary?" Beatrice Paretti hurriedly interjected before her boss could continue. She was getting impatient, especially since she knew Zachary would arrive for the post-match interview soon.

"Yes, that should be our intent," Mario Romano said. "If Zachary doesn't mention the issue himself, let's leave out the ugly stuff from the interview. Let's leave it for our publicity guys to find a way to handle the incident. As for you, focus on only the football and Zachary's performance during the interview. Okay?"

"Okay, got it. I will do as instructed." Beatrice said and ended the call. She couldn't help but sigh as she shoved her phone back into her pocket.

She knew that if all institutions at all levels worked hand in hand to fight racism in football, they would attain much better results. But alas, there were always obstructions in the battle against this cancer. For instance, some owners of the major broadcasting corporations and a few presidents of the football governing bodies in Italy were always reluctant to come out and condemn racist behavior during matches -- the excuse always being: they didn't want to hurt the reputation of Italian football. How could they use such a lame excuse that couldn't fool a three-year-old?

Deep within her heart, Beatrice knew those politicians and businessmen were not giving their all in the battle against racism. But there wasn't much she could do to change the tide, as she was just a small-time reporter trying to make ends meet. She would obviously not go against the instructions of her bosses and risk her career for a fight that didn't really concern her well-being.

The second Zachary stepped into the press area, a beautiful and formally-dressed journalist with a label of Sky Italia on the breast pocket welcomed him enthusiastically. Her assistants quickly shoved microphones in his face while her camera crew worked fast to focus their lenses on him.

"Nice to meet you, Zachary Bemba," she said with a practiced smile. "I'm Beatrice Paretti, a sports journalist from Sky Italia. Thank you for staying back for this interview. It shouldn't be an easy feat after an intense match like you just played."

Zachary nodded and motioned for the reporter to go on with the interview. He was impatient to finish the annoying but compulsory task of talking to the reporters so he could return to the dressing room to shower and celebrate with his teammates. He also needed to eat something as he had expended plenty of energy during the match.

As if noticing his impatience, the beautiful reporter smiled and went straight to the point. "Zachary!" She said. "Let me start by congratulating you upon scoring a hat trick and helping Juventus win yet another Serie A game. But can I ask why you started from the bench today when you are clearly fit and on top of your game?"

Zachary smiled and replied, "The answer to that question is a team secret. So, I can't answer it. Sorry."

The corners of the journalist's lips twitched slightly after hearing Zachary's response. But she still maintained her professional smile and went on with the interview. "Your hat trick today has taken your tally this season to seventeen Serie A goals in 16 matches and 26 in all competitions. Your goal-scoring form is impressive. It seems you have adapted well to live at Juventus over the past few months."

"Yeah," Zachary responded. "My teammates have helped me adapt well within the team. My chemistry with most other players has improved, allowing me to perform better during games. As I'm sure that my teammates always have my back, it's easy to let go of most worries and focus on creating goal-scoring chances for my team."

"Talking about Juventus," the reporter commented, "your whole team is in great form. You have won all your matches this season and amassed 48 points. Since you are yet to lose a game, are you gunning for an unbeaten run this season?"

"As players, we only leave in the present," Zachary said. "We always take things as they are and only aim to win every game that comes our way. As such, we'll always do our best on the pitch to overpower our opponents. As for lofty goals, like accomplishing the unbeaten run, we don't have to think about such stuff as that will make us lose focus of the present."

"Let's talk about today's game against Cagliari," the reporter said with a smile. "You were so intense after stepping onto the pitch against Cagliari. I saw you chasing loose balls, tackling, and running at opponents like your life was at stake. You even yelled at your teammates several times, which is an obvious contrast to how you've always acted in previous matches."

"Yeah, I did all that cause this game was important to me," Zachary replied. "Firstly, I hate losing, and as a Juventus player, I had to do my all to help my team win the game, including taking on tasks like motivating my teammates with a few words at certain times. Secondly, I was working hard to suppress the insults and jeers the Cagliari supporters were hurling at me. It's good that luck was on my side, and I scored a hat trick against Cagliari. Otherwise, I would have had to go back to Turin depressed after enduring the insults of all those supporters."

"I'm happy for you," Beatrice said before abruptly changing the topic. "Zachary! The Golden Boy award ceremony is tomorrow night, and you are one of the favorites tipped to win the accolade. Are you excited?"

"Yes, I'm," Zachary said, smiling. "As a football player, winning awards is the best testament to my career progress. So, I'll be looking forward to the award ceremony. I really hope to emerge as the best young player for 2014."

"I think you'll win," Beatrice said.

"That, I can't be sure before the results are out." Zachary countered. "The voting process is complex. I don't know if the majority representatives will vote for me."

Beatrice chuckled. "Let's end the interview here. Thanks again for staying back to answer our questions. I wish you all the luck during the award ceremony tomorrow. May you emerge as the overall winner."

"Thanks," Zachary replied before stepping away from the cameras. He was still feeling the bliss of helping his team achieve a comeback against Cagliari. So, he walked with a swagger before quickly arriving at the visitor's dressing room.

"Zachary!" Maurizio Trombetta, the assistant coach, was the first to welcome him. "Nice game. You were truly impressive today."

"Thanks," Zachary replied, feeling contented. He then exchanged a few pleasantries with the other coaches and teammates before celebrating with them in the tight space of the dressing room. Then later, Zachary washed up and ate some snacks before joining his teammates on a team bus to the airport. He was looking forward to returning to Turin and following the Golden Boy award ceremony scheduled for the following evening.