Controversy is raging after reports that Francesco Totti telephoned referee designator Pierluigi Collina to apologise for his outburst against Udinese.
Totti was livid when referee Nicola Rizzoli prevented him hitting a shot by blocking his path during the Roma’s 3-1 win at the Stadio Friuli.
At the time, the capital club were trailing 1-0 and emotions were running high, but many experts felt Roma’s captain should have been sent off rather than booked for the abuse he levelled at the official during the game and could have been punished more severely for mouthing, “go to hell.”
Er Pupone has been fined £8,000 for his actions, but there are rumours that he called Collina to apologise, prompting accusations of partiality and anger from Udinese sporting director Pietro Leonardi.
“When I asked to talk to the powers that be about the sending off of Andrea Dossena, they told me that the most opportune moment would be the Coaches’ meetings,” he raged on Radio Radio TV.
“So then when I read that Totti called Collina I wondered how it is that he had that number.”
However, experienced tactician Carlo Mazzone – the man who is credited with unearthing Totti at Roma – has defended the 31-year-old’s actions during and after the game.
“Totti made a mistake because of the tension that caused a lapse in judgement but the referee did well to understand his state of mind,” he insisted.
“I offer my compliments to Rizzoli for realising that Roma were losing and there was immense tension out there on the pitch.
“Totti felt he had been blocked by the ref and he lost his head. Francesco is peaceful by nature and he showed that by telephoning the people he needed to apologise to after the game.”
