TGCom director Paolo Liguori doubled down on his suggestion Nicola Rizzoli would favour Juventus over Napoli.
The media chief, at the head of the news arm of Mediaset, made the suggestions on TV and radio appearances, prompting the Referees’ Association and Rizzoli to take legal action.
TGCom director Paolo Liguori doubled down on his suggestion Nicola Rizzoli would favour Juventus over Napoli.
The media chief, at the head of the news arm of Mediaset, made the suggestions on TV and radio appearances, prompting the Referees’ Association and Rizzoli to take legal action.
“It’s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous, that an international referee felt so offended by my criticism that he threatened to sue a journalist,” wrote Liguori in newspaper Libero.
“I would’ve preferred Rizzoli was not the referee for the decisive match in the campaign. Why? Because memory, direct experience and perhaps prejudice suggest the best Italian referee often makes mistakes when the Bianconeri are playing a decisive game.”
Rizzoli pulled out of tonight’s clash due to a muscular injury, so Daniele Orsato will wield the whistle in Turin.
Liguori also attacked Pierluigi Pardo, the host of the TV show where he made the original statements.
“The host of Tiki Taka knew my opinions full well and invited me on the show precisely to make these comments. He asked me the first question on the issue, even if he rushed to apologise for my words and distanced himself from me on social media.
“I am really disappointed by him as a human being.”