Genoa President Enrico Preziosi thanks Carlo Tavecchio for moving an Italy friendly to Genoa, but calls on the football community to do more to help.

Floods have hit the port city, killing one man and causing €200m worth of damage, less than three years after similar flooding killed seven people.

Genoa President Enrico Preziosi thanks Carlo Tavecchio for moving an Italy friendly to Genoa, but calls on the football community to do more to help.

Floods have hit the port city, killing one man and causing €200m worth of damage, less than three years after similar flooding killed seven people.

Italian Football Federation President Carlo Tavecchio announced yesterday that the Azzurri would move a friendly on November 18 from Parma to Genoa, as a show of support for those affected.

“The friendly is an important signal, but will do nothing to solve the real problems of the people, even if it’s a nice gesture,” Preziosi told Radio IES.

“I want to thank Carlo Tavecchio who has been active on this and has displayed great sensitivity, as well as Claudio Lotito. I got a call this morning to tell me they were working on this, and I was happy.”

Preziosi did however criticise local authorities for failing to prevent the flooding in the first place.

“Closeness and solidarity are fine, however it’s shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

“In Hong Kong I saw floods, and trees flying through the air but no-one was hurt. This is an Italy where a company appeals to the administrative court to block public works which are necessary to prevent tragedies like this. It’s hard to believe that in 2014 someone can die because it rains too much.”

Preziosi also called for the world of football to come up with a more tangible response to the crisis, challenging clubs and players to provide financial support.

“Nice gestures are of little use in emergency situations like this. Our [football] world is a privileged one, and in these kind of circumstances we should give material aid.

“We must actively help those who are suffering, not simply give them a pat on the shoulder.

“Everyone should get their hand into their pocket to help the people who are coping with this disaster – directors, Coaches and players, each according to their means, to highlight that there is a desire to make a tangible contribution for the people of Genoa.

“We could set up a League fund, to gather up the generous donations of the people within the League.”

Byrob

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