Juve stunned by Ibra suspension
Thursday 21 April, 2005
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.”
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