Beppe Marotta has called Francesco Totti’s words ‘damaging’ to Juventus” data-scaytid=”4″>Juventus and hit out at the suggestion the League is distorted in their favour.
Beppe Marotta has called Francesco Totti’s words ‘damaging’ to Juventus and hit out at the suggestion the League is distorted in their favour.
Following Roma’s 3-2 defeat to the Bianconeri on Sunday, Totti commented that ‘by hook or by crook’ Juve win the League, in reference to some controversial refereeing decisions in the Week 6 fixture.
The Turin club’s director general has since appeared on programme Processo del Lunedi to discuss the fallout further, starting with a follow-on from his initial reaction to the Roma captain’s words.
“I said that on one hand I respect the player, I respect the man, the professional, for what he has given, for what he is giving to football in terms of huge emotions,” began Marotta in reflection.
“On the other I cannot agree with what he said, which is detrimental to the image of Juventus and severe.
“Roma only last year finished second and finished 17 points behind, in a League championship that we then deserved. Otherwise Roma would finish second after Inter in some seasons, but never after Juventus. In 2001 Juventus finished second behind Roma and at a difference of two points.
“So I cannot understand what he meant. Certainly in recent years Juventus have won legitimately, with great sporting merit the three Scudetti and we stress this because they are definitely important claims in respect of football, sports, institutions and especially also of our fans.”
Rudi Garcia was sent to the stands for playing an imaginary violin on the sideline, and it was put to Marotta that this was an indication of ‘always the same music’.
“But supportive of what? We want facts, not words. What are the acts in question? If you tell me what the incriminating matters are, I will respond.
“It is usual to talk about music, but not in reference to the music yesterday. When you say usual, it refers to a continuous period in the recent past or in the past.”
The Corriere dello Sport headline yesterday ‘Championship distorted’.
“This is definitely out of place, because if we talk about a distorted championship after six weekends at the start of a season, when there are still 32 games to play and 96 points available, I don’t think we can define that as distorted, partly because I think a championship is very different from a tournament where there can be favourable circumstances and a refereeing decision can definitely work in your favour.
“Eventually value will come out, at all times the best team wins the championship. Errors are compensated for, because we could make a list of situations in which there have been advantages and disadvantages.”
Rudi Garcia also tweeted yesterday that Sunday’s game was bad for Italian football.
“From this point of view, definitely yes. In fact, if we list everything in the context of what happened in the field… the scene of the red cards for Morata and Manolas is not great, it is definitely not uplifting, it is a scene that we do not want our children to see.
“What should have been a good spot in the evening has become a negative one, I agree on this. But from here to talk about a distorted League, of a Juventus who steals the result, I think it is too much.”
Marotta was asked about the controversial episodes in question.
“I understand there are episodes of doubt, but that have led to a wrong decision only the once, that is, in the first penalty.
“But with the use of slow motion replays what would have happened? The referee is five yards away from the wall and can see perfectly and has considered that he voluntarily handled the ball.
“In front of this there is no slow motion in place. Because if you want to limit the subjectivity of the referee’s decision, then we no longer talk about a game played in the field, but on the PlayStation. A situation the result of a computer.”