midfielder behind Michel Platini in Juve’s
legendary 1980s side and he rebuffed
numerous approaches to play for Italy
as this would have meant giving up his
Sammarinese passport.
After Bonini, the eccentric Selva is
probably the best-known Sammarinese
player. Born to a Sammarinese mother,
he played professionally in Italy for SPAL,Padova, Sassuolo and Verona, and is San
Marino’s record scorer with eight goals
in 73 games, between 1998 and 2016.
His international tally includes the goal
in his country’s sole international win- a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in
a friendly in July 2004.
But to the frustration of Bollini, the
FSGC does not appear interested in
looking for eligible Sammarinese players
among a diaspora in places as disparate
as Buenos Aires and Detroit, which some
believe exceeds the current domestic
population of 33,400.
Rather than look for eligible players,
the FSGC has tinkered with eligibility
rules in the Campionato. Previously,
clubs could have no more than half-a-
dozen foreigners in their squads. But this
proved easy to get round as any players
with a work permit counted as local.
So, from last season, all clubs had to
have a minimum of two players eligible
for the national team on the pitch at all
times. But in the heat of a game that can
be a challenge – as Tre Penne found out.
At the start of last season, Palazzi
was injured in a game against Folgore.
When Cibelli was then substituted, Alex
Gasperoni was the only Sammarinese
player left on the pitch. The match
finished 0-0 but the FSGC awarded
Folgore a 3-0 win.
No other clubs subsequently fell foul
of the new rule, but two players is not
enough for ex-coach Manzaroli or the
eternally popular Giampaolo Mazza,
the national coach from 1998 to 2013,
who says: “We need more.”
And if the FSGC does increase the
quota, the clubs are likely to demand
reform of the system of sharing UEFA
money to benefit the bigger clubs...just
like the rest of Europe.SAN MARINO
“We play against players like
Rooney on the Xbox and then
we play against them for real”
San Marino international Mirko Palazzi
CAMPIONATO 2019-20
OSP CAILUNGO
Based in Borgo Maggiore and founded
in 1974. Chairman is Paolo Rondelli, San
Marino’s ambassador to the USA during
George W Bush’s term in office.OSS COSMOS
Based in Serravalle and founded in 1979,
took their name from New York Cosmos.
Chairman is Luca Della Balda. Four cup
victories but only league title was in 2001.OFC DOMAGNO
Formed in 1966, won eight Coppa Titanos
and four Campionatos – the last in 2005.OSS FAETANO
Founded in 1962 and won the league in its
inaugural season, in 1986, but the last of
their three titles was 20 years ago.OFC FIORENTINO
Founded in 1974 as SS Montevito. Sole
title was in 1992. Changed name in 2005.OSS FOLGORE FALCIANO
Founded in 1972. The last of four
Campionatos was in 2015. In their sixth
European appearance last season, they
finally avoided defeat, drawing 1-1 with
Andorran side Engordany in the Europa
League – but lost 3-2 on aggregate.OAC JUVENES/DOGANA
From Serravalle, founded from a 2000
merger and lifted the Coppa Titano three
times since. Played in the Sammarinese
and Italian leagues until 2007.OSP LA FIORITA
From Montegiardino, the smallest of San
Marino’s nine communes, and winner of
five titles. Roberto Bollini replaced Alan
Gasperoni as president last summer.OAC LIBERTAS
Formed in 1928 and based in Borgo
Maggiore, the club’s only title was in 1996.OSS MURATA
Won three titles in a row up to 2008
but none since. In 2007 the club signed
41-year-old Brazilian star Aldair.OSS PENNAROSSA
Based in Chiesanuova and founded
in 1968. Won their only title in 2004.OAS SAN GIOVANNI
From Borgo Maggiore and founded in
1948 by a parish priest. Chairman is
Valerio Zanotti.OSP TRE FIORI
Founded in 1949 and won a record seven
titles but none since 2011. Chairman is
Marino Casali. Third last season.OSP TRE PENNE
Originally started by Sammarinese Fascist
Party leader Manlio Gozi in 1928 but fell
apart during WWII. Reformed after the
war and this year won their fourth title
since first claiming the crown in 2012.OSS VIRTUS
Based in Acquaviva and founded in 1964,
but have had little success and failed to
win a game last season.Showdown...Tre
Penne (in blue)
and La FioritaPi
ct
ur
e:
F
SG
C