The last seven days for Inter were supposed to be a dawning of a new season.  A new coach was officially presented on Tuesday, a new player welcomed on Thursday, the new shirt unveiled Friday.  Unfortunately, all the good news this week has been overshadowed by the news that was announced last Monday.

But let us start with the positives. Tuesday brought forth Gian Piero Gasperini’s first press conference as Inter manager, where he was asked about his formations, players and potential transfer targets.  Much has been made of his use of a three man defence, but he said that it would be one of many alternative formations available to him due to the abundance of great players at his disposal.

One of the names that Gasperini was asked about has been Inter’s first signing of the transfer market, Ricky Alvarez.  A tall, left footed, attacking midfielder bought from Argentine club Velez Sarfield, the 23 year old will hopefully bring another dimension to the squad who has been dependent on Wesley Sneijder the last two seasons.

Ritiro commenced on Sunday and Gasperini held his first training as head coach in Pinzolo.  Over 5,000 fans were present for the session to watch the first team, sans the players involved in the Copa America, for free. Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o, two players whose names have been linked in the constant rumor mill this summer, are there.  Eto’o met with Massimo Moratti on Friday, with the intent of staying and extending his contract with Inter.

In much anticipated news, the new Inter kit for 2011-12 has just been released.  Take a look at the new shirt here. Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic, and Giampaolo Pazzini are the Nike sponsored players who have been selected to represent Inter in the advertising campaign.  The new away kit is slated to be revealed on August 6, possibly for the Super Coppa in Beijing.

Speaking of Pazzini, congratulations are in order for the Inter striker.  He wed his longtime girlfriend, Silvia, in Como on Friday.  Auguri, Pazzo!

However, all of that has been undermined by the shock, outrage, disgust, and anger rippling through the Nerazzurri camp ever since FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi released his findings.  In a statement to ANSA, Palazzi claims that Inter had “violated the article relative to sporting fraud with regards to the possibility of taking advantages in the standings.”

Many have predicted that the 2006 Scudetto that was given to Inter will be taken away, but what is more pressing on the mind of Interisti is the fact that Calciopoli II has made it acceptable to drag Inter and Italy legend Giacinto Facchetti’s name through the mud.  Facchetti passed away in September 2006, yet charges are only now coming to light.

The club has taken a staunch stance on the report and will not accept the findings according to Palazzi.  Everyone associated with Inter share the same sentiment and President Massimo Moratti in particular has denounced the charges brought against Facchetti.  In an exclusive interview with Inter Channel, he stated:

“…The Scudetto has become a secondary matter if you like. Still important but secondary. What was totally unexpected, serious and perhaps even irregular, was this attack on a person who is no longer here, who can’t defend himself. Not in the ordinary sense but juridically; he doesn’t have the opportunity to defend himself from the accusations of a public prosecutor. That’s why I find it all so tasteless, regardless of the fact that none of the accusations against Facchetti could be followed up.”

After the initial shock wore off, many have come forward in defense of Facchetti , including Azzurri legend Gigi Riva, Inter icon Marco Materazzi, and the throng of Nerazzurri tifosi worldwide.

This is not about the 2006 Scudetto, this is about clearing a man’s name.  A man who is no longer with us and who can no longer defend himself against charges brought upon him nearly five years after his death.

Inter will not stand by and let the name or memory of Giacinto Facchetti be desecrated.