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09/08/2007 12:12
Refereeing A Concern In Games Involving Italy - Domenech
France coach Raymond Domenech has raked up the issue of controversial refereeing agead of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy. He also had another go at Marco Materazzi.
Les Bleus take on the Azzurri at the San Siro in an absolutely crucial Euro 2008 qualifying clash in just a few weeks, and Raymond Domenech has decided to wade into muddy waters.
The France coach believes that refereeing is a concern in games involving Italy, and has openly pointed to instances of the Azzurri fixing the match, in what is sure to raise the pitch ahead of the clash.
"The main problem could be the referees, but that’s often the problem with Italy," he told Le Parisien.
"In the past there have been rigged games like the France v Italy Under-21 qualifier for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
"They had bought the ref and the cheating was incredible. If it happens once you have doubts. There are hidden agreements in Italian football."
Domenech also raked up the Materazzi-Zidane incident during the World Cup final. "He [Materazzi] scored, he got his best opponent sent off, and he converted his penalty; he was the star of the final, not Andrea Pirlo," he said tongue in cheek.
"It’s not about insults, but provoking someone until they boil over. It happens in every sport, even volleyball across the net. On the pitch any way you can unbalance the opponent and exploit their weaknesses benefits your team.
"Whoever provokes shows strength, whoever reacts shows weakness.
"As a coach I want my players to give the English response and give compliments after the game regardless of the insults during it."
He ended on a positive though, praising the players and the fans: "You can say whatever you like, but the Italians have exceptional players and I admire them. They play the most efficient football in Europe, perhaps the world, and I like it. We'll see who the great players are at the San Siro with 80,000 whistling fans."
So we head into another Italy-France game with match-fixing and Marco Materazzi at the top of the agenda.
Refereeing A Concern In Games Involving Italy - Domenech
France coach Raymond Domenech has raked up the issue of controversial refereeing agead of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy. He also had another go at Marco Materazzi.
Les Bleus take on the Azzurri at the San Siro in an absolutely crucial Euro 2008 qualifying clash in just a few weeks, and Raymond Domenech has decided to wade into muddy waters.
The France coach believes that refereeing is a concern in games involving Italy, and has openly pointed to instances of the Azzurri fixing the match, in what is sure to raise the pitch ahead of the clash.
"The main problem could be the referees, but that’s often the problem with Italy," he told Le Parisien.
"In the past there have been rigged games like the France v Italy Under-21 qualifier for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
"They had bought the ref and the cheating was incredible. If it happens once you have doubts. There are hidden agreements in Italian football."
Domenech also raked up the Materazzi-Zidane incident during the World Cup final. "He [Materazzi] scored, he got his best opponent sent off, and he converted his penalty; he was the star of the final, not Andrea Pirlo," he said tongue in cheek.
"It’s not about insults, but provoking someone until they boil over. It happens in every sport, even volleyball across the net. On the pitch any way you can unbalance the opponent and exploit their weaknesses benefits your team.
"Whoever provokes shows strength, whoever reacts shows weakness.
"As a coach I want my players to give the English response and give compliments after the game regardless of the insults during it."
He ended on a positive though, praising the players and the fans: "You can say whatever you like, but the Italians have exceptional players and I admire them. They play the most efficient football in Europe, perhaps the world, and I like it. We'll see who the great players are at the San Siro with 80,000 whistling fans."
So we head into another Italy-France game with match-fixing and Marco Materazzi at the top of the agenda.