Zoff offers to quit Fiorentina
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Dino Zoff has offered his resignation after Fiorentina’s fourth consecutive defeat and suggested a political motive behind his troubles.
“Right now I have some unsettling thoughts about our treatment,” he said after two Viola players saw red within the first ten minutes of their 3-0 defeat at Sampdoria.
“Perhaps on a purely political plane my presence here has not helped matters. In two out of my three Serie A games with this side I have witnessed disastrous refereeing performances.”
There was real controversy surrounding the 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina – in which both sides had perfectly good goals disallowed – and two of Lazio’s three strikes were irregular.
“We also have to shoulder some of the blame for our current situation,” conceded Zoff, “but I think my presence is complicating it further. We’ll see what we can do about that.”
When asked if he was essentially offering his resignation to the Fiorentina directors, the former Italy boss was cagey. “I believe in roles and those in a position to judge should make their decisions.”
Fiorentina have been making waves all season thanks to patron Diego Della Valle’s very public bid to have League President – and Milan chief – Adriano Galliani deposed from his position.
Zoff also clashed with the Rossoneri in his time, famously quitting as Azzurri Coach after Milan President – and Italy Prime Minister – Silvio Berlusconi criticised his tactics in the Euro 2000 Final.
"This is the latest evidence of persecution against the team," read an official club statement. "But we won't give in. They are trying to stop Fiorentina and this city from engaging in sport."
Today’s game went downhill from the moment Valeri Bojinov was shown a straight red card for lashing out an elbow at Sergio Volpi. Teammate Daniele Delli Carri followed 90 seconds later for dissent.
“I did nothing wrong,” insisted the £10m signing. “I just rested my elbow on Volpi’s chest after he had pushed me in the back. The referees should admit when they make a mistake. In any case, I apologise to my teammates and hope my ban is no longer than one match.”
Sampdoria Coach Walter Novellino saw the incident from a different angle and supported the work of referee Paolo Dondarini.
“The team played well in an unusual game. Admittedly we had the advantage with those early red cards, but Bojinov definitely tried to hit Volpi with his elbow. We know what it’s like, as we had two men sent off when we played against Siena,” he noted.
Fausto Rossini was stretchered off during the second half after catching his studs in the turf and the Samp striker has been diagnosed with a slight ankle sprain.
channel4
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Dino Zoff has offered his resignation after Fiorentina’s fourth consecutive defeat and suggested a political motive behind his troubles.
“Right now I have some unsettling thoughts about our treatment,” he said after two Viola players saw red within the first ten minutes of their 3-0 defeat at Sampdoria.
“Perhaps on a purely political plane my presence here has not helped matters. In two out of my three Serie A games with this side I have witnessed disastrous refereeing performances.”
There was real controversy surrounding the 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina – in which both sides had perfectly good goals disallowed – and two of Lazio’s three strikes were irregular.
“We also have to shoulder some of the blame for our current situation,” conceded Zoff, “but I think my presence is complicating it further. We’ll see what we can do about that.”
When asked if he was essentially offering his resignation to the Fiorentina directors, the former Italy boss was cagey. “I believe in roles and those in a position to judge should make their decisions.”
Fiorentina have been making waves all season thanks to patron Diego Della Valle’s very public bid to have League President – and Milan chief – Adriano Galliani deposed from his position.
Zoff also clashed with the Rossoneri in his time, famously quitting as Azzurri Coach after Milan President – and Italy Prime Minister – Silvio Berlusconi criticised his tactics in the Euro 2000 Final.
"This is the latest evidence of persecution against the team," read an official club statement. "But we won't give in. They are trying to stop Fiorentina and this city from engaging in sport."
Today’s game went downhill from the moment Valeri Bojinov was shown a straight red card for lashing out an elbow at Sergio Volpi. Teammate Daniele Delli Carri followed 90 seconds later for dissent.
“I did nothing wrong,” insisted the £10m signing. “I just rested my elbow on Volpi’s chest after he had pushed me in the back. The referees should admit when they make a mistake. In any case, I apologise to my teammates and hope my ban is no longer than one match.”
Sampdoria Coach Walter Novellino saw the incident from a different angle and supported the work of referee Paolo Dondarini.
“The team played well in an unusual game. Admittedly we had the advantage with those early red cards, but Bojinov definitely tried to hit Volpi with his elbow. We know what it’s like, as we had two men sent off when we played against Siena,” he noted.
Fausto Rossini was stretchered off during the second half after catching his studs in the turf and the Samp striker has been diagnosed with a slight ankle sprain.
channel4
