It was a stunning victory for the Grosseto-based Italian junior league team Invictasauro, who beat their opponent and chief rival Marina Calcio 27-0.
However, it proved the end of the road for the winning side’s coach, Massimiliano Riccini, who was sacked by his team’s president for not having respected their opponent.
“We learned with amazement and regret the score of the match in which our junior team scored 27 goals,” Invictasauro president Pailo Brogelli was reported as saying. He added that the “values of youth team football” are antithetical to such a thing.
“The opponent must always be respected and today it has not happened. As president I sincerely apologise to the Marina team. Our board has decided, unanimously, to sack [coach] Mr. Riccini.
Our coaches have a duty to train and, above all, to educate children. This has not happened today.”
According to ESPN, the sporting director of the losing side complained that his side had been disrespected, especially given that his team had suffered several injuries and were fielding an outfield player in goal.
Two Invictosauro players scored six goals, while one scored seven.
Incidentally, the largest-ever margin of victory in an international football was 31-0, from an infamous game between Australia and American Samoa in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
