Napoli’s Jose Maria Callejon (right) challenges Arturo Vidal, of Juventus, at the San Paolo stadium.

Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has pointed the finger at assistant referee Elenito Di Liberatore for his side’s 3-1 defeat to Juventus on Sunday.

Benitez was fuming regarding one pivotal decision made by the linesman in the game at the San Paolo stadium.

With the contest tied at 1-1, Juve’s Martin Caceres headed Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick past Napoli goalkeeper Rafael to put the visitors ahead in the 69th minute.

However, TV replays show Caceres and team-mate Giorgio Chiellini were in an offside position and the goal should have been disallowed.

“Juventus are a very strong side, but it’s not hard to see Chiellini’s white shirt and especially that bandage on his head with Caceres behind him,” Benitez told the Italian press.

“Against Juve it is always like this. We were in the game but the offside goal changed everything and we had to chase again.”

Napoli could not find an equaliser and it was Arturo Vidal that wrapped up the win for Juve deep in stoppage time.

“We give credit to Juve because they have quality and work hard, which is why they have been winning the scudetto for three years and will win again,” Benitez said.

“Our anger comes from the fact we could not compete on level terms due to these errors.”

The loss, Napoli’s first at home to Juve since 2000 and their fourth of the season, dropped Napoli to fourth place, one point adrift of Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Napoli president Aurelio Di Laurentiis said a hairline decision was “either bad faith or incompetence”.

“We are tired. Juventus are a strong team, and if they are helped by the referees, they become unbeatable,” Di Laurentiis said on Twitter.

“It’s unacceptable that six referees cannot see two players offside. Either it is bad faith or incompetence. These six referees should be banned for a long time.”

Juventus, involved in a similar row following their 3-2 win over Roma in September, said they won fair and square.

“It was a transparent win, the result of a more than positive performance.

“I reject the accusation,” said chief executive Giuseppe Marotta yesterday.

“The value of the team emerges during the course of the championship and in matches such as this one.”