Local newspapers spared no words Tuesday in describing four-time champion Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in six decades. Italy had participated in every World Cup since failing to qualify for the 1958 tournament, which coincidentally was held in Sweden. If Italy had qualified, the cost of domestic TV rights for the World Cup were estimated at 175 million euros ($200 million). The national team’s contract with shirt supplier Puma, worth 18.7 million euros ($22 million) per season, will also likely be revised. And there could be ramifications for Italy’s betting industry, where soccer wagers generate 140 million euros (more than $160 million) per year, according to Repubblica.

Source: National Post November 14, 2017 12:14 UTC