Ciro's proposal

February 8, 2000
Juventus Official Site

The arguments around refereeing decisions, requests for calm and all the other issues surrounding the question of referees - almost producing a situation of national emergency - was not going to pass unobserved by the players, especially not a veteran like Ciro Ferrara. On the day when the Bianconeri returned to training after their two-day pause, Ciro Ferrara appeared before the waiting press with a proposal of his own that would help reduce the endless debates on refereeing decisions: "Why don't we try putting replays on hold for one Sunday?"

Ferrara went on to explain where the club stood on the question. "I don't think Moggi and the rest of the Club wanted to hark back to past episodes, but rather, they wanted to point to the way Juventus have been put in a bad light, with the suggestion - for example - of a psychological intimidation of referees by the club. It's a tough time for all. I think you journalists could play your part by keeping quiet for a week, rather than continuing with the typical coverage of a match which simply seems to come down to refereeing mistakes and fails to take into account the real substance of a match. In this way everyone could relax a bit. Of course arguments will continue, but - if we carry on harking back to things like this - referees won't be able to continue their work in peace. We have to accept that referees also can make mistakes." Even the ex-Juve man Marcello Lippi was unable to keep his feelings to himself, and Ferrara found it hard to blame him: "I'd rather not comment on the episode, but it was certainly difficult to keep quiet in the circumstances."

From arguments about Juve to the goals conceded - only 10 after all - and to those scored, admittedly only 26. "On balance it's not too bad. But it seems unfair for people to criticise a defence as strong as ours." Just as it's unfair to harry Alessandro Del Piero: "I've been through a harsh injury like his, and I know just what it means. One has to be patient. Alex has been important so far anyway, providing some important assists for his team-mates. I’m sure that shortly the criticisms will turn into praise and we’ll see Alex as the great leader once again."
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