Another blazing row has broken out between Inter and Roma after Roberto Mancini insisted people are “scared” to admit Francesco Totti should’ve been dismissed.
The Giallorossi captain was only booked when he swore three times at referee Roberto Rizzoli during Sunday’s 3-1 win at the Stadio Friuli.
Serie A has been split into two camps – those who praised Rizzoli’s understanding in a time of stress, as Roma had just gone 1-0 down and the official was in his way during a scoring opportunity, and those who maintain Totti should have been dismissed.
“He should’ve been sent off. I watched the footage back and every time my view on the matter only gets stronger,” slammed Mancini in today’s Press conference.
“Those who talk about the common sense of the referee only do so because they are afraid to say how things really are.”
Inter were often accused of receiving favouritism from referees during this season, so Mancio pounced on the opportunity to bite back.
“If Antonio Cassano had been in his place and acted the same way, he would have received at least a five-match ban.”
The Referees Association has suspended Rizzoli following the match, although Totti was only handed a fine of £8,000.
“If the referee was suspended, it means he did something he shouldn’t have done and that is the truth of the matter. This time Totti went over the line.”
Udinese boss Pasquale Marino agreed with Mancini in this interpretation, especially as his team was leading 1-0 at the time and went on to lose 3-1.
“It would have been an advantage for us if Totti had been sent off. It’s a shame to see people try to minimise the incident, as the rules are equal for everyone and must be applied consistently,” he commented.
Atalanta Coach Gigi Del Neri also claimed there was favouritism towards World Cup winner Totti, who he worked with during his time at Roma.
“In our League there are two different levels of treatment and the Totti incident highlighted that. A player who can offend a referee that way should be punished heavily and that has been the case with some of his colleagues,” said Del Neri.
“My Atalanta, on the other hand, are the team with the least fouls and the most red cards.”
