Coppola (ex linseman) spoke to reporters.
«I can speak now because I am no longer an assistant referee», «The police told me there were no Inter wire taps (2006). » «Today they talk about Inter, but everybody did it».
Inter-Venezia 2-1, 16th September 2001. Rosetti referee, you were one of two assistants: what happened?«I said it in court in Naples and I’ll repeat it now. Cordoba was dismissed for having struck Bettarini. The punch was to be reported as a simple gesture to liberate himeself».
But if you saw a punch, why did it need to become something else?
«Because that is how it worked. People called the referee designators (Bergamo e Pairetto, ndr) they were sensitive to pressure and that was the game. After the game I went to my locker room and Facchetti told me I was wrog to not award a penalty to Inter and for the red againist Cordoba: had I been more gentle in calling the foul he wouldn’t have missed two games, I refused to admit my “mistake” and his red stood, that season I didn’t work in Serie in A again».
Did you report this to the FIGC and at the onset of Calciopoli to the police when you were questioned?«When I met with the police I was left perplexed by their behavior: it seemed as though they did not care, perhaps because what I was stating wasn’t in the direction they were going. They seemed very rushed and stated that there were no wire taps pertaining to Inter».
Today, there are.
«I’m not surprised. Today they talk about Inter, but everyone did it».
Why are you the only one to come forward? «Because I am no longer a linesman».