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| | Wednesday 23 January, 2008 | | Blog: We wuz robbed! | | We live in a post-Calciopoli world but, as Susy Campanale explains, the wallpaper is surprisingly similar |  |  | | Week 19 saw complaints about dodgy refereeing decisions all going in favour of the big clubs, Coaches sent off for dissent who later accused the officials of robbing the game and players calling each other divers. Just one week into the much-feted ‘terzo tempo’ ritual of enforced fair play and hand-shakes, it was abandoned as angry defenders were dragged away hurling abuse and waving unsportsmanlike fingers at referees and opponents in equal measure.
The incident that got the most headlines was of course the most important in the wider picture of this campaign – Inter’s amazing comeback from 2-1 down in the 88th minute to win 3-2. Now much has been said about Fernando Couto’s handling offence and the ever-changing rules about intentional and unintentional fouls. Couto himself admitted the ball glanced against his hand after ricocheting off his head as he went for that clearance.
We have seen such unlucky deflections many times in recent years and generally speaking the referees have waved play on, acknowledging it was an accident and by no means an intentional handball. It could also be argued that Couto did not qualify in this case as it was practically a goal-line clearance in front of an empty net. Fair enough, a penalty is entirely understandable.
What does not square is the red card. Had Couto intentionally stopped a clear scoring opportunity illegally, then that would be the very least he could expect. But as it was evidently an unlucky ricochet and a tough decision to give against Parma in the first place, the dismissal was downright harsh if not frankly ludicrous.
Had the Gialloblu not been reduced to 10 men – eventually nine at the time of the goal thanks to Daniele Dessena’s injury – would Inter have won that match? Would it have been a turning point in the campaign? Perhaps more importantly, would those decisions have been the same if the two teams were reversed? How can the same referee who considered Couto’s accidental handling offence worthy of a penalty not have thought the same about Ivan Cordoba’s blatant shirt-tug on Bernardo Corradi?
Calciopoli may have dug up Luciano Moggi’s rather too hands-on approach to referees, but the fact that officials repeatedly gravitated towards giving a 50-50 decision in favour of the successful sides was news to nobody. It is human nature and it cannot be eradicated from the sport, even with the aid of any number of technological advancements.
Of course Parma weren’t the only ones complaining. Torino felt Adrian Mutu shamefully dived for two penalties, Atalanta were livid after seeing Sergio Floccari’s goal disallowed unjustly and Lucho Figueroa’s stoppage-time winner come from a non-existent corner kick and Juventus – yes, the Bianconeri at the centre of the Calciopoli storm – believed David Trezeguet should have had a spot-kick against Sampdoria.
The award in a hotly contested category of Worst Refereeing Performance of Week 19 must go to Gianluca Rocchi, who managed to infuriate both Napoli and Lazio in their 2-2 draw at the Stadio San Paolo. In a land dominated by suspicion, accusations and conspiracy theories, it is great to see some good old-fashioned incompetence. At last, something we can all agree on.
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Like death and taxes I knew it was inevitable that this blog would surface from the thinly veiled Milanista Ms. Campanale. On Sunday night Couto knew exactly what he was doing when he raised his hand by his head. It was not an involuntary action and had he got away with it, there would have been no confession to the referee. It was tough on Parma who were on the verge of a hard-fought victory away to the champions and because of which it felt all the more bitter. However the blame lies with their Portuguese defender who was rightly dismissed. He compensated partially for the position of his head by using his arm to prevent a goal. As Mancini said this is the sport and incidents like this happen.
I've watched Inter for years and comparisons to what Inter had to endure, proven through the courts, and any supposed debatable decision now is despicable. I remember the 97-98 season. I also remember individual rounds too like watching Inter 1-0 up away to Lazio having 7+ minutes added to a routine 2nd half while the following Sunday Juventus at 1-0 up only playing an incredible 53 seconds ! So please don't try and muddy the water with your pathetic attempted parallels as we ain't buying them.
If any club should feel bitter then surely it is Inter whose President, officials and fans were met with derision for years when they hinted at suspected foul play and then became vindicated when it was exposed. Your last blog on this made me so angry when you dared to take another stab at Inter for their pride in being clean. Look in your own back yard at the global disgrace that is the antics of Dida, the diving of Gila, Kaka, Inzaghi before you deride those who chose to hold sportsmanship and honesty and good behaviour in high regard as Internazionale do.
Mark McDermott, a proud Inter fan
It's easy and clear for anyone who read your blogs how much you hate Inter and how much you love Milan , why not to be honest with yourself and declare that. .. By the way Inter is the best and will be the best even if Media insects trying to underestimate their remarkable performance over the recent years.
Nasri Shnoudi
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