Juve accept Zebina ban
Juventus will not appeal against Jonathan Zebina’s four-match ban for slapping a cameraman. “We respect the sentence.”
The French defender was dismissed for dissent in the 3-2 victory at Cagliari in Week 2 and on his way off the field was involved in an argument with a cameraman.
The touchline brawl degenerated and Zebina slapped the media figure before he was hauled away by members of the Juve staff.
“When you are a professional, you must know that provocation is part of this job,” noted Bianconeri general manager Jean Claude Blanc.
“We will deal with the matter in-house without making it public. We have already met with the player and will do so again. As far as we are concerned, we respect the sporting justice system and the sentence.”
The four-match ban leaves Juve short on options at the back, but this is not the first time that Zebina has run into trouble.
Blanc also commented on under-fire captain Alessandro Del Piero, who looks set to be dropped against Ukraine this evening after a disappointing display with France.
“On Saturday we followed all the Juventus players on international duty and they were all decisive. This shows we have a competitive squad.
“I think Del Piero played a good game, but that does not influence the negotiations for his new contract. That is another matter we will be dealing with privately, but I can confirm there will soon be another meeting.”
The Azzurri apologised to the French FA for the jeers that drowned out the national anthem at San Siro on Saturday, but Frenchman Blanc had another take on the situation.
“If Raymond Domenech had not provoked the fans before the game, those jeers would never have happened.
“Football does not need behaviour like that. Players, Coaches and directors should be educators and act in a more professional manner.”
Bleus boss Domenech received a one-match touchline ban from UEFA for falsely accusing Italy of having “bought the referee” in an Under-21 tie in 1999.
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