Costacurta condemns Calciopoli
Saturday 5 August, 2006
Billy Costacurta believes Juventus should not have been demoted to Serie B for the Calciopoli scandal, but would gladly welcome Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the side.
“Juventus shouldn’t have gone to Serie B. The club was penalised too harshly, while the real people responsible didn’t pay as much as they should’ve. Those who ended up paying the price were the clubs, fans, sponsors and players. It’s all down to two people and the rule about indirect responsibility should be scrapped,” said the defender.
The Bianconeri were demoted, stripped of two titles and ordered to start the next season with a 17-point penalty. Lazio and Fiorentina were also originally sent to Serie B, but brought back up on appeal, while Milan’s penalty was cut from 15 points to eight.
The 2005-06 Scudetto was assigned to Inter by default after the shake-up, a decision that the long-time Rossoneri star supports.
“I think it was right to give the title to Inter, as in the light of the verdicts there was no other alternative, although in my view Milan deserved it more. I was irritated by Roberto Mancini’s comments, because it is not 'The Scudetto of the honest people.’ It is a result created by the trial, nothing more. All the players are honest here.”
Juve’s demotion has seen many stars move away and Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks set to follow. Milan are said to be closing in on a deal for the Swede, who was fined by the Bianconeri for refusing to attend a friendly match on Friday.
“Should we sign Hernan Crespo or Ibrahimovic? I really like Hernan, but in football terms I am totally in love with Ibrahimovic. I have to say Gourcuff impressed me in training. I may be exaggerating, but he has a touch that reminds me of Zinedine Zidane.”
Milan’s adjusted punishment has allowed them to enter the Champions League, albeit from the preliminary round against Red Star Belgrade. UEFA’s Emergency Committee allowed the move, but pointed out they had grave reservations about letting the Rossoneri into the competition.
“The situation was compounded by some power play. Just think that Sepp Blatter is in charge of FIFA, so I can’t comment on him without saying something ungentlemanly. People more qualified than me said that UEFA’s statements were ridiculous, but I don’t think we’ll be penalised by referees in the Champions League because of it.”
Costacurta is 40 years old, but he’ll have to lead the defence in the first leg against Red Star at San Siro on Wednesday because Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Dario Simic and Marcos Cafu are out of action.
“I thought my Champions League career had ended with last season’s semi-final against Barcelona,” he smiled. “I am proud, but as a Milan supporter, I’d hope the best players were on the field.”
He has some frightening memories of Red Star, as the Rossoneri were almost eliminated from the European Cup at the Maracana in Belgrade 18 years ago before bad weather forced play to be suspended and a brawl broke out.
“I remember we scored a goal that wasn’t spotted by the referee, but then in the players’ tunnel there was a strange atmosphere with opponents and the police ganging up on us. We all felt very intimidated.”
Saturday 5 August, 2006
Billy Costacurta believes Juventus should not have been demoted to Serie B for the Calciopoli scandal, but would gladly welcome Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the side.
“Juventus shouldn’t have gone to Serie B. The club was penalised too harshly, while the real people responsible didn’t pay as much as they should’ve. Those who ended up paying the price were the clubs, fans, sponsors and players. It’s all down to two people and the rule about indirect responsibility should be scrapped,” said the defender.
The Bianconeri were demoted, stripped of two titles and ordered to start the next season with a 17-point penalty. Lazio and Fiorentina were also originally sent to Serie B, but brought back up on appeal, while Milan’s penalty was cut from 15 points to eight.
The 2005-06 Scudetto was assigned to Inter by default after the shake-up, a decision that the long-time Rossoneri star supports.
“I think it was right to give the title to Inter, as in the light of the verdicts there was no other alternative, although in my view Milan deserved it more. I was irritated by Roberto Mancini’s comments, because it is not 'The Scudetto of the honest people.’ It is a result created by the trial, nothing more. All the players are honest here.”
Juve’s demotion has seen many stars move away and Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks set to follow. Milan are said to be closing in on a deal for the Swede, who was fined by the Bianconeri for refusing to attend a friendly match on Friday.
“Should we sign Hernan Crespo or Ibrahimovic? I really like Hernan, but in football terms I am totally in love with Ibrahimovic. I have to say Gourcuff impressed me in training. I may be exaggerating, but he has a touch that reminds me of Zinedine Zidane.”
Milan’s adjusted punishment has allowed them to enter the Champions League, albeit from the preliminary round against Red Star Belgrade. UEFA’s Emergency Committee allowed the move, but pointed out they had grave reservations about letting the Rossoneri into the competition.
“The situation was compounded by some power play. Just think that Sepp Blatter is in charge of FIFA, so I can’t comment on him without saying something ungentlemanly. People more qualified than me said that UEFA’s statements were ridiculous, but I don’t think we’ll be penalised by referees in the Champions League because of it.”
Costacurta is 40 years old, but he’ll have to lead the defence in the first leg against Red Star at San Siro on Wednesday because Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Dario Simic and Marcos Cafu are out of action.
“I thought my Champions League career had ended with last season’s semi-final against Barcelona,” he smiled. “I am proud, but as a Milan supporter, I’d hope the best players were on the field.”
He has some frightening memories of Red Star, as the Rossoneri were almost eliminated from the European Cup at the Maracana in Belgrade 18 years ago before bad weather forced play to be suspended and a brawl broke out.
“I remember we scored a goal that wasn’t spotted by the referee, but then in the players’ tunnel there was a strange atmosphere with opponents and the police ganging up on us. We all felt very intimidated.”
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