Juve stunned by Ibra suspension Thursday 21 April, 2005
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Juventus claim they are amazed and worried by the three-match ban given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and will appeal, while Milan see their Scudetto chances boosted.
“We will lodge an immediate appeal against this decision,” revealed director general Luciano Moggi. “The Disciplinary Commission’s findings were like a bolt from the blue.”
Ibrahimovic was caught on camera striking out at Ivan Cordoba during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Inter when the ball was in the other half of the pitch.
The Swede was also involved in another incident during the same game, in which he tried to head butt Sinisa Mihajlovic.
“We really weren’t expecting this, especially as none of the newspapers or television programmes had really zoned in on that situation,” continued Moggi.
“We hope to have the ban reduced on appeal, as if it stands then he would be suspended for the May 8 encounter with Milan. I can confess that we are worried.”
The Bianconeri will already be without the injured David Trezeguet and possibly Jonathan Zebina for that Scudetto showdown, so to lose their top scorer as well would be a heavy blow.
Milan, on the other hand, are celebrating their stroke of luck and can now look to the final weeks of the season with more confidence.
“There are five games remaining that are worth three points each and one that will be worth six points,” said Rossoneri director Adriano Galliani.
Galliani is often at the centre of controversy because he is both in charge of Milan and the head of the Lega Calcio, which includes the Disciplinary Commission that suspended Ibrahimovic.
“We have also suffered at the hands of some controversial refereeing decisions and over the last two games have had two good goals disallowed, but I think that as Lega Calcio President it would be inelegant of me to discuss that aspect of the game.”
Milan are still in the running for the Grand Slam of Serie A and European titles, but with a growing injury list must balance out their efforts.
“I don’t know if we’ll be tired by the time that match with Juve comes around, but I am very happy to be in the Champions’ League semi-finals. After our exit to Deportivo La Coruna last year I won’t make predictions, but I can say that the Scudetto showdown with Juve will not be decisive.”
The San Siro is set to be sold out for Tuesday’s first leg match with PSV Eindhoven, as over 72,000 tickets have already been snapped up by eager fans.
“Pippo Inzaghi could be on the bench against Parma this Saturday, while Manuel Rui Costa, Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo are on the road to recovery for the PSV game,” added Galliani.
source: Channel4.com
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Juventus claim they are amazed and worried by the three-match ban given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and will appeal, while Milan see their Scudetto chances boosted.
“We will lodge an immediate appeal against this decision,” revealed director general Luciano Moggi. “The Disciplinary Commission’s findings were like a bolt from the blue.”
Ibrahimovic was caught on camera striking out at Ivan Cordoba during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Inter when the ball was in the other half of the pitch.
The Swede was also involved in another incident during the same game, in which he tried to head butt Sinisa Mihajlovic.
“We really weren’t expecting this, especially as none of the newspapers or television programmes had really zoned in on that situation,” continued Moggi.
“We hope to have the ban reduced on appeal, as if it stands then he would be suspended for the May 8 encounter with Milan. I can confess that we are worried.”
The Bianconeri will already be without the injured David Trezeguet and possibly Jonathan Zebina for that Scudetto showdown, so to lose their top scorer as well would be a heavy blow.
Milan, on the other hand, are celebrating their stroke of luck and can now look to the final weeks of the season with more confidence.
“There are five games remaining that are worth three points each and one that will be worth six points,” said Rossoneri director Adriano Galliani.
Galliani is often at the centre of controversy because he is both in charge of Milan and the head of the Lega Calcio, which includes the Disciplinary Commission that suspended Ibrahimovic.
“We have also suffered at the hands of some controversial refereeing decisions and over the last two games have had two good goals disallowed, but I think that as Lega Calcio President it would be inelegant of me to discuss that aspect of the game.”
Milan are still in the running for the Grand Slam of Serie A and European titles, but with a growing injury list must balance out their efforts.
“I don’t know if we’ll be tired by the time that match with Juve comes around, but I am very happy to be in the Champions’ League semi-finals. After our exit to Deportivo La Coruna last year I won’t make predictions, but I can say that the Scudetto showdown with Juve will not be decisive.”
The San Siro is set to be sold out for Tuesday’s first leg match with PSV Eindhoven, as over 72,000 tickets have already been snapped up by eager fans.
“Pippo Inzaghi could be on the bench against Parma this Saturday, while Manuel Rui Costa, Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo are on the road to recovery for the PSV game,” added Galliani.
source: Channel4.com
