Cassano temper flares in Catania
Sunday 28 October, 2007
Channel4.com wrote:
Antonio Cassano insulted Vincenzo Montella and stormed off, while Sampdoria accuse Catania of attacking them in the players’ tunnel.
The 2-0 home win at the Stadio Massimino was a hotbed of controversy and incident this afternoon.
The problems started before kick-off, when the Blucerchiati allege five Catania stewards insulted and pushed their players.
“We have only informed the FIGC of what happened, but we will not present an appeal against the result,” explained a statement from the club.
“Some of our directors and players were approached and verbally attacked – in some cases physically attacked – by some of the stadium workers.”
Catania have reacted furiously to this allegation and President Antonino Pulvirenti rushed to the defence of his staff.
“We are indignant at this accusation. I have spoken to the figure responsible for public order and he told me nothing happened. Just a few shouts, a purely verbal disagreement.
“They wanted to use the situation to veer the match in a certain way, but we did well to win fair and square on the pitch.”
During the week there had already been very public arguments between the sides. Catania director of sport Pietro Lo Monaco had pointed out how Coach Walter Mazzarri – who last season was in charge of Reggina – told the media he was “disappointed” that Chievo had been relegated rather than Catania.
“Mazzarri was unhappy about Catania staying in Serie A last summer, then he comes here and bases everything on confusion,” continued Pulvirenti.
“We have a statement from the police confirming that nothing happened. The rest is all talk.”
Sampdoria also hit the headlines during the game for another ‘Cassanata’ – the name Fabio Capello gave to the bursts of anger that often affected Cassano in his career.
Making his first start of the season, he lasted just 39 minutes before limping off with a new thigh injury. He did not wait for the bench to complete the substitution, instead walking straight off the pitch.
Teammate Montella tried to stop him, but Cassano shook off his hand and clearly swore at the former Roma man, demanding to be left alone and asking him “are you crazy?”
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Anyone watched the game?
