I See London, I See France, I See Players’ Underpants

What in the name of Mike Singletary?

Not since Steve Lyons has pants-dropping become such a hot topic in sports.

Seems like an Italian soccer team wanted to get in on the fad. Players for Serie A outfit Catania pulled their pants down while their teammate took a free kick in attempts to block the goalkeeper’s view.

The Sicilian team carried out the maneuver to perfection Sunday. Three players dropped their shorts practically to their knees so Torino goalie Matteo Sereni couldn’t see the kick by Giuseppe Mascara, who scored during Catania’s 3-2 victory.

Take a look (in Italian, so watch “Rocky” and “Goodfellas” first).

Catania coach Walter Zenga, who played and coached for the New England Revolution from 1997-99, practices this maneuver regularly. 

While there’s nothing specifically written in the rule book about dropping one’s pants, I find it odd that dropping your trousers is being used to gain a competitive advantage. I understand if you’re John Holmes or Pete North – I mean a man’s ego can only take so much. 

Some soccer dignitaries are calling foul saying the tactic is in poor taste. 

Word is, the French aren’t complaining.