Rafa Benitez broke his silence on the Parma incident. “It’s strange they heard my phrase and not insulting chants against Napoli.”
The Coach has not spoken to the Italian media for several weeks other than in contractually-obligated occasions around the Europa League.
Rafa Benitez broke his silence on the Parma incident. “It’s strange they heard my phrase and not insulting chants against Napoli.”
The Coach has not spoken to the Italian media for several weeks other than in contractually-obligated occasions around the Europa League.
He was therefore asked about the phrase – “This is the ****ty thing about Italian football” – used after a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Tardini.
It earned him a one-game touchline ban, while Gonzalo Higuain was fined €10,000 for insults hurled at Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.
“I am surprised they were able to hear a phrase I said about obstructionism in Italian football, yet were unable to hear the chants against Neapolitans that went on throughout the game,” said Benitez.
“Having said that, I don’t want to talk about it any more.”
Benitez claimed he was referring to time-wasting, whereas Parma accused Napoli of expecting them to law down because they were already relegated.
The chants – 'Vesuvius wash them with lava' – had last season been treated in the same way as racist insults.
Higuain was also asked about the fine during this Press conference in Kiev, but refused to comment.
“These things happen on the pitch. I am here to talk about tomorrow’s game and I am not interested in anything else.”