We don't know how the rest of the country would feel, but if Italy missed the upcoming European Championship, their head coach would not be bothered by it.
Speaking in Zurich ahead of his team's exhibition against Russia, Cesare Prandelli claimed that he would have "no problem" should Italy choose to withdraw from the competition following another match-fixing scandal that has plagued the country.
An investigation into the scandal was initiated by judicial authorities last year in Cremona. It has resulted in wide-spread arrests, questionings and suspensions. Most recently, authorities made 19 arrests on Monday including that of Lazio captain Stefano Mauri. Three others were put under house arrest and two more must present themselves to authorities.
Other notable names involved include former Lazio captain Giuseppe Signori, who has also been arrested, and former Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni, who has been banned from soccer for 3 ½ years.
Authorities in Cremona claim the match-fixing ring has been in operation for more than 10 years as stretches as far as Singapore and South America.
This is the second time in just a few years that Italy has been embroiled in such a controversy. The country went through another match-fixing scandal in 2006. Punishments from that included long suspensions for club and referee officials, point penalties for several Serie A teams, and the relegation of Juventus to Serie B.
Ironically, Italy went on to win the World Cup that year.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has recommended that the game be suspended for two to three years in order to rid the country of the problem.
Prandelli does not seem to disagree with the Prime Minister's viewpoint. "If you told us that for the good of football we should not participate, it wouldn't be a problem for me," Prandelli said. "There are things that I believe are more important."
Should Italy remain in the tournament, they will open with a match against Spain on Sunday June 10. Italy is in Group C, along with Spain, Republic of Ireland and Croatia.
