Renowned Italian football personality Antonio Cabrini believes that changes in the trend of educating the young are required in order to help eradicate corruption from football.

The former Juventus and Italy defender, who won all international honours at club level and also the World Cup with his country in 1982, but lost none of his personal charm, was speaking at a meeting with the media yesterday morning before ending his short stay on the island as a guest of honour of the KMS for the Malta Sport awards held on Saturday.

When asked by The Malta Independent what are Italian authorities doing to control corruption in Italian football, 54-year old Cabrini was aware that the recent calcio scommesse and the Calciopoli have tainted the reputation of Italian football, although this plague is fast spreading across the world.

Cabrini confirmed that all Italian authorities are showing zero tolerance to whoever tries to use illicit means to win and his country is working hard to fight corruption.

But family values are most important among the young in order to change the way people think because, according to Cabrini, this is not only a matter of a moment of madness by some athlete or official, but the work of delinquents.

Education will eliminate this because it is all a question of what type of mentality you put in children’s minds.

Cabrini, who won six Italian championships and two domestic cups with Juventus and still follows the club with some nostalgia, said that the Biancneri have made important changes and very good acquisitions this year. Andrea Pirlo was fundamental and his signing termed as “ ben azzecchato” same as coach Antonio Conte.

Cabrini said that Conte changed the Juventus environment because he is a fighter and knows the club well, he being a former player.

Cabrini also praised national coach Prandelli as being the best choice for the Italian national team, who has shown great character under his charge.

Cabrini, who made 73 appearances for Italy and scored nine goals, said that qualifying for the EURO 2012 was a great achievement for the Italian team.

Cabrini also criticised the fact that youths are given little chance to prosper when half of the foreigners engaged in the Italian League are not better than young local talent. Although the emphasis must be on the Under 20 sector, many young players are still not good at international level because they get too little playing time with their clubs. Cabrini mentioned Balotelli as a clear example.

While Barcelona invest 10 per cent of their income on youth, Italy invests less than one per cent.

Cabrini showed solidarity with players who, although under contract, are being put aside by coaches because the club squads are too large. Cabrini thinks that a squad of 20 or 25 players is the optimum number and when more players are required, the young ones should fill in.

Antonio Cabrini was the guest of honour at the Malta Sports awards and said that he was impressed with the involvement of so many sport entities in this contest. While praising the hospitality shown towards him, Cabrini said that although small, Malta can still do better to improve in the sport culture.