Napoli-Inter, the controversy remains heated: harsh retort of the Neapolitan club to'former referee Bergonzi
The controversy regarding Napoli-Inter last Saturday does not seem to have subsided: the partenopea club has in fact taken a rather drastic stance on Monday, responding in particular to ’former referee Mauro Bergonzi who, during ‘La Domenica Sportiva’ on Rai 2 had criticized the ’awarding of the penalty that was later worth the 1-0, calling “unsportsmanlike” the behavior of Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
“SSC Napoli expresses firm condemnation of the statements made by former referee Mauro Bergonzi during the program La Domenica Sportiva – reads the statement released by the Neapolitan club -, in which he questioned the fairness of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, accusing him of unsportsmanlike behavior”.
“One can freely discuss episodes of the game, including penalty cases, but it is in no way acceptable to question the sportsmanship, integrity and professionalism of an exemplary footballer such as our captain” it reads further. Also harsh was the reaction of Di Lorenzo’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, who on ‘Kiss Kiss Napoli’ called Bergonzi“s words serious” citing his client as “an example of sports loyalty throughout his career”.
The incriminating episode was the contact, around the half-hour mark of the first half, between Mkhitaryan and Di Lorenzo, which was punished by the match’s referee, Mariani, with a penalty kick after review by VAR, despite the Nerazzurri’s protests. The penalty had then been scored by Kevin De Buyne, injured in the very act of kicking the ball from the eleven meters.
