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Matrix criticised for mask stunt[/FONT]
Tuesday 26 January, 2010
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Italy's Minister of Defence has criticised Inter defender Marco Materazzi for wearing a Silvio Berlusconi mask after Sunday's victory over Milan.
The World Cup winner didn't take part in the derby, but still made his presence felt after the final whistle when he celebrated with his team-mates in the guise of Milan's patron and Italy's Prime Minister.
Materazzi is widely expected to receive a ban for his actions, as paying a simple fine would be seen as a fair price for a bit of fun.
Ignazio La Russa, a renowned Inter fan, said: “Marco is a friend, but his actions were an enormous fall in style.”
“I think that he didn't do it to give [a political] weight to his gesture. I have never seen anyone mock the President of a football team, not even Presidents as invasive as Berlusconi.
“And since Berlusconi is the Prime Minister, and Materazzi's gesture can be manipulated, I will call for Marco to apologise and make it understood that he didn't mean to offend the President,” La Russa concluded. [/FONT]