Team Talk : letter to the FIGC and Referees’ Association

Juve's open letter to FA: 'Enough!'
Sunday 24 February, 2008

Juventus have written an open letter to the FIGC and Referees’ Association demanding action to stop the club being “made to pay” for Calciopoli.

The Bianconeri were furious after last night’s 2-1 defeat at Reggina, in which there were two clear penalties not awarded before a stoppage-time spot-kick gave the Amaranto the win.

Now they have taken further action by writing an open letter to the Federation and the AIA – Referees’ Association – signed by President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli and general manager Jean-Claude Blanc.

“The repetition of such serious errors forces us to ask for the intervention of the Federation to guarantee the regularity of this campaign, protecting the work and professionalism of the players, Coach and directors of Juventus.”

One of the theories put forward openly in this letter is that referees are giving decisions against Juve to continue ‘punishing’ them for the Calciopoli scandal.

This was the first time this season that referee Paolo Dondarini had been assigned to officiate a Juventus match, as he was one of the figures accused – and cleared – in the trial last year.

“Some decisions by the referees are confirming the doubts raised by more than a few people – that there is not a relaxed and adequate approach towards Juventus considering the serious and professional way the club and team are behaving.

“What is certain is that Juventus cannot keep paying for something they have already paid an extremely severe price.

“The club is lifting itself back up from that thanks to the passion of its fans, who legitimately ask for respect.”

The Bianconeri were demoted to Serie B and stripped of two Scudetto titles in the Calciopoli scandal.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Cristiano Zanetti is handed a two-match ban for his dismissal against Reggina.

The midfielder saw red in stoppages for kicking out at Nicola Amoruso.

*channel4