Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has “many suspicions” that Juventus are treated more favourably, even with VAR, and called the Scudetto loss “an open wound.”
The two teams meet again on Sunday at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Partenopei were top of the table for much of last season, but eventually capitulated and Juve secured their seventh straight Serie A title.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has “many suspicions” that Juventus are treated more favourably, even with VAR, and called the Scudetto loss “an open wound.”
The two teams meet again on Sunday at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Partenopei were top of the table for much of last season, but eventually capitulated and Juve secured their seventh straight Serie A title.
“We’ve spent so much money over the last 15 years, but until I get tired, I will continue taking this club where it deserves to be. We are protagonists and want to remain there, as the future belongs to Napoli,” ADL told the Corriere dello Sport.
“Sooner or later, we will win the Scudetto. It is still an open wound from last season and I think it’ll stay that way for a while. Many people suspect something is going on with the way the league is run, not just me. It’s also a fact that this is a common problem in many other tournaments.
“I want to make one thing clear, though: VAR was introduced to avoid refereeing errors. If it is not used conscientiously, then it’s inevitable people will think badly. And I had many doubts last season.”
Once again, these two clubs are the only ones fighting it out at the top of the table.
“It is the game of games and has been for the last 10 years,” insists De Laurentiis. “We’ve both been able to shake off the troubles of the past – in our case bankruptcy, in theirs Calciopoli.
“We are two top European level clubs that other nations would envy, but I’d like to work in a less discriminatory environment. I can’t help but notice the difference in the way our fans are treated, as supporters who live in Naples were barred from making the trip to Turin earlier this season, whereas Juventus fans are being allowed to attend at the San Paolo.
“It would’ve been nice to allow those supporters who wanted to experience it the opportunity to be at the Juventus Stadium.”
The Stadio San Paolo is crumbling and De Laurentiis has for years referred to it as “a toilet,” but funds have been released by the local council for some improvements to seating and floodlights thanks to the fact it is hosting the Universiadi athletics meet this summer.
“Soon I hope to sign the paperwork for the next decade and we can start, I hope, to consider a stadium that is up to the standards of the team.”