Zeman-Lippi in TV bust up Sunday 28 November, 2004
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Zdenek Zeman has finally commented on the Juventus doping verdict and entered into a live television row with Marcello Lippi.
The Lecce boss sparked off the investigation in 1998 with an interview suggesting the Bianconeri were using too many substances and the trial concluded on Friday with club doctor Riccardo Agricola handed a 22-month suspended sentence for ‘sporting fraud’ and administering drugs including EPO.
“I don’t think the Doctor drugged himself,” stated Zeman on today’s television programme ‘Stadio Sprint’. “He was giving the substances to someone else and he wasn’t paying for them, so those people should know about it. That’s my interpretation of the situation.”
The club, in the shape of director Antonio Giraudo, was cleared of all wrongdoing, but this is a verdict that does not satisfy Zeman. The programme came to life when Italy boss Lippi was introduced from another studio.
“This sentence does not change the respect I have for everyone I worked with in Turin,” said the ex-Juve Coach. “That goes for the medical staff, directors and players. The only reason that team won so much was its strength of character.”
Zeman reacted to that statement and insisted, “I can say that the facts speak for themselves. In 1999 Lippi admitted he had administered creatine to his players.”
Lippi was furious at this interjection and hit back. “Seeing as Zeman is so busy being the moral guardian of football, I’ll also reveal some of my players told me that during their time working with Zeman he also used creatine.”
Creatine is not a banned substance, but the use of it in sport has caused controversy over the last few years.
“I had already admitted that at Lazio we used creatine,” added Zeman, “but we only tried it for a month at doses of three milligrams, whereas Juve were using 20 milligrams. I’d expect that much to cause problems for a player.”
The presenter asked if Lippi would ever shake hands with Zeman and the answer was far from comforting.
“I say it isn’t right to constantly criticise the system when you yourself are a part of it. I tell Zeman that if he doesn’t like it, he can get out.”
Zeman had the final word and noted, “I can stay inside the system and try to improve it from the inside.”