Serie A referees ‘must learn to whistle less’ says Inter Coach Roberto Mancini, who believes the league is ‘home of the divers’.
The Nerazzurri boss was hugely critical of referee Daniele Orsato after Monday’s 2-1 defeat against Napoli, in which he sent off Yuto Nagatomo in the first half.
In a lengthy interview with Corriere dello Sport today, the former Manchester City boss drew on his experiences in England to underline that officials are far too strict on the peninsula.
Serie A referees ‘must learn to whistle less’ says Inter Coach Roberto Mancini, who believes the league is ‘home of the divers’.
The Nerazzurri boss was hugely critical of referee Daniele Orsato after Monday’s 2-1 defeat against Napoli, in which he sent off Yuto Nagatomo in the first half.
In a lengthy interview with Corriere dello Sport today, the former Manchester City boss drew on his experiences in England to underline that officials are far too strict on the peninsula.
“I still think exactly like before about Orsato’s refereeing,” Mancini told the newspaper.
“Nagatomo’s first foul was absolutely not a bookable offence and even the second was a half-foul because Yuto didn’t go straight for the man.
“I don’t want to talk about our expulsions. My argument is more general and regards all the other teams as well. Before sending off or booking a player, the foul must truly be worth a booking.
“Maybe our physicality makes us more at risk of picking up cards, but the statistics say that we make less fouls than anyone else and we don’t have players who dive or simulate.
“Felipe Melo? Yes, he’s aggressive and we accept that he does some fouls, but he isn’t dirty. Absolutely not.
“You’ve said that referees are touchy. If an ex-referree (De Marco) goes on TV, he doesn’t have to defend his ex-colleagues, but should explain the rules and the dynamics that lead to a whistle.
“A defence lawyer for the referees doesn’t help anyone, like we don’t need ex footballers who are commentators and try to keep a foot in both camps.
“Must we learn to be smarter because of red cards? We must learn…to simulate, but we aren’t capable of that because I’ve got a team composed of great guys, players who don’t make up things that haven’t happened.
“Some people are predisposed to dive and simulate. And not just in the box…This is the home of the divers because we blow the whistle at the first contact, while in England, in a tougher league, although I don’t have the statistics with me I think there are fewer red cards.
“In Italy you blow the whistle and get booked for nothing. This is all wrong and the referees should learn to whistle less, without being influenced by the public. Unfortunately this has always been a problem in Serie A.”