Le Chou is Europe's most dedicated source of news. Catch up weekly on the biggest headlines with our roundup, all with an intentionally inaccurate and satirical streak. Follow live updates on Twitter and watch Le Chou TV on Instagram.
*Le Chou is intended for purely satirical and entertainment purposes and does not reflect the views of The Brussels Times*
Italy’s government announced this week that it will co-host the 2032 Euros football tournament with Türkiye. As part of that deal, Italy has agreed to rename itself ‘Italiye’, as well as a host of other concessions.
At a signing ceremony on Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put the finishing touches on their joint bid for the 2032 cup, safe in the knowledge that governing body UEFA would give it the green light.
However, a number of compromises – almost all by the Italian side – were needed in order to reach an agreement and share the hosting rights after the Turkish government realised that Italy's desperation to qualify for football tournaments gave Ankara a strong negotiating position.
“We could never partner with a country that still uses the name given to it by Western colonisers,” Erdogan told reporters, revealing that Meloni had agreed to rename Italy ‘Italiye’ to better align the nation with Türkiye’s new branding.
In another concession, ‘Italiye’ will ban the iconic moka coffee pot and instead roll out tiny small long-handled brass pots so Italian households can make unfiltered Turkish coffee instead.
‘Italiye’ will also transfer all of its F-35 fighter aircraft to Türkiye and has agreed that if the two sides meet in the Euro cup, ‘Italiye’ will forfeit the match. Italian support for Sweden's NATO bid has also been suspended pending a review.
Italians have had a mixed reaction the the news, initially greeting the renaming and concessions as a “massive betrayal” by the government. However, the tifosi are overjoyed that the national side is guaranteed to qualify for a tournament for once.
Extra! Extra!
*Le Chou is intended for purely satirical and entertainment purposes and does not reflect the views of The Brussels Times*
