Torino President Urbano Cairo says he feels sorry for Parma counterpart Tommaso Ghirardi after the Granata took the Gialloblu’s European place.
Torino President Urbano Cairo says he feels sorry for Parma counterpart Tommaso Ghirardi after the Granata took the Gialloblu’s European place.
Roberto Donadoni’s team finished the Serie A season in sixth, a point and a place above Toro, but they today lost an appeal against the FIGC’s decision not to grant them a UEFA license for next term.
The decision by the High Court means Torino will play in the Europa League in place of their rivals, but Cairo took time to express his sympathy for Ghirardi.
However, he also paid tribute to his own side’s ‘extraordinary’ season, saying it is a just reward for the club’s hard work.
“After our extraordinary season, getting back into European competition represents an important achievement,” Cairo told Toro’s official website.
“I have to say though that I am sorry for Parma. President Ghirardi is a friend and I can imagine his bitterness. On the pitch, they got one more point than us and we congratulated them.
“Thereafter, to get into Europe it is not enough to just do it by getting results. From my point of view, I can say that I am happy for our fans who really wanted us to achieve this.
“I am happy for the team who had a great season, and for the boss and the whole club. This is the icing on the cake of our great season.”