Former referee and AIA commissioner Luigi Agnolin says that Claudio Lotito chose the wrong time to speak, and that eliminating referee errors is ‘utopian’.
The storm over the Italian officiating system continues as Referees’ Association President Marcello Nicchi receives backing by one of his ex-commissioners.
Former referee and AIA commissioner Luigi Agnolin says that Claudio Lotito chose the wrong time to speak, and that eliminating referee errors is ‘utopian’.
The storm over the Italian officiating system continues as Referees’ Association President Marcello Nicchi receives backing by one of his ex-commissioners.
Nicchi has today slammed Lazio President Lotito and FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio over a suggested 'integral draw' of referees.
“Lotito has turned into the deus ex machina of Italian football,” said Agnolin in an interview with Tele Radio Stereo 92.71, as reported by Calciomercato.it.
“Why does he speak halfway through the championship? He does that only when he thinks that Lazio have been victim of a few episodes.
“He has a relevant role in the FIGC, but he complains only in certain circumstances and that's just not right.
“We've had the integral and non-integral draw in the past, but there were polemics even at the time. There always have been.
“It's not right that people should request a draw only when there's an emotional reaction by someone who feels penalised. These things should be discussed when the situation is neutral.
“A game is an event that is handled and interpreted by men.
“Psychological subjection exists in football as it does in life, you can go beyond it with the skill of individual referees.
“But it's utopian to think that it can be wiped out altogether.”