By Aston
July 21 2006

Town chairman David Sheepshanks has defended the clubs decision to go ahead with the friendly against Lazio next Friday.

The Italian side are one of four clubs that were involved in the Italian match fixing scandal and are one of three clubs relegated to Serie B as a result of the inquest, but Mr Sheepshanks feels the game should still go ahead.

 

Sheepshanks: “One or two people have questioned whether we should be playing a game against a team that have been found guilty of match-fixing and so forth, having reflected on it we concluded that they have taken their punishment and the current situation is nothing to do with the players or the team that will come to us. The individuals concerned have all left the club.

 

“Also, the match is in Ipswich's best interests. Lazio are coming as part of the deal that took Matteo Sereni to their club and as a result we are not having to pay a fee and are getting all the gate receipts.

 

“So why should we cut our nose of to spite our face?

 

“It will be interesting to see Lazio at Portman Road, but even more interesting for Ipswich Town supporters is the fact that it will be Jim Magilton's first home match as manager and a fantastic warm-up for our first League game against Crystal Palace.”

 

Tickets for the game are still available priced at £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £3 for juniors.

 

Source: Ipswich Town – the official website

 

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