Adriano Panatta offers for the younger ones an "old-fashioned educational recipe", with some statements on the baby gang phenomenon bound to spark discussion. "I wouldn't want to say something strong but I will say it - he declared at a press conference in the Municipality of Treviso - But reinstating corporal punishment, giving three or four whacks on the bottom, without exaggerating, wouldn't hurt. After they have gone away sore for 15 days maybe they'll think about what they have done". This was Panatta's response to a question about baby gangs, a violent phenomenon that has been filling the pages of the local news in Treviso for some time.

Adriano Panatta and the Baby Gang Phenomenon

The former tennis champion, who has been living in the city for many years, also suggested the alternative formula of forcing bullies to "shovel manure. A bit humiliating punishments, in short, to make them understand that they are making a mistake. Then I don't believe they are hardened criminals, they are just bullies - he concluded - and if you want, you can set them straight".