Federico Marchetti has looked to clarify why he pushed referee Mauro Bergonzi, an action that has seen him suspended for the rest of the season.
The goalkeeper was one of a number of Lazio players and staff to surround Bergonzi and his assistants in the dying seconds of their defeat to Udinese, after a controversial second goal.
Federico Marchetti has looked to clarify why he pushed referee Mauro Bergonzi, an action that has seen him suspended for the rest of the season.
The goalkeeper was one of a number of Lazio players and staff to surround Bergonzi and his assistants in the dying seconds of their defeat to Udinese, after a controversial second goal.
The Aquile players believed that the goal would be ruled out, after a number of them had stopped upon hearing a whistle in the crowd blow for full time that they incorrectly attributed to the referee.
In the aftermath of the match ending, the protests continued and Marchetti could be seen pushing Bergonzi, something that through Lazio’s official site he has looked to explain away.
“While we were talking about the incident that led to 2-0, the referee told me to leave and that there was nothing more to say, turning his back,” stated the goalkeeper on Monday.
“To get his attention I tried to call three or four times, but he did not turn around. At that point I tried to stop him, drawing his attention.
“Recognising my good relationship with referees, that I have always maintained through my career, I went to the dressing room to try to clarify my position, although the referee was not willing to talk at that time, due to the agitation at the end of the game.
“My conversation with Bergonzi was solely focused on the clarification of the episode in question and why he had changed his decision, validating the goal having previously said that the goal would be cancelled.”
Marchetti has been banned for four games for his actions.