Inter have opened the Serie A biscuit tin, sparking an angry reaction from other clubs after saying they do not believe in the “good faith” of referees.
The Italian season would not be complete without conspiracy theories, bizarrely known as biscuits by the media, and Inter president Massimo Moratti duly obliged with his outburst following last weekend’s 4-3 home defeat by Atalanta.
Brooding Inter visit Cagliari tomorrow in a match which the homeless Sardinian club will stage in Trieste, near the Slovenian border, after yet another episode in the saga over their search for a stadium.
Meanwhile, third-placed Milan, missing maverick striker Mario Balotelli after he needlessly got himself suspended, host second-placed Napoli in a key battle for places in next season’s Champions League.
Only the top two teams in Serie A qualify directly for the Champions League while the third must go into the final qualifying round play-off.
Napoli have 62 points, Milan 58 and fourth-placed Fiorentina, who visit Atalanta tonight, have 52.
Leaders Juventus, nine points clear at the top, are at fifth-placed Lazio on Monday having bowed out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich in the last eight on Wednesday.
Inter’s hopes of taking third place virtually ended last Sunday after they squandered a 3-1 lead at home to Atalanta and lost 4-3 leaving them sixth, eight points behind Milan.
That defeat prompted some astonishing remarks from Inter over the German Denis penalty which pulled the score back to 3-2.
“I no longer believe in the good faith of referees,” said Moratti, complaining that his team had not been given a penalty for 21 games.
“I don’t think I have to explain things any more clearly, you just have to look at how this championship is developing, especially for us. When they want to hit you, then you get hit.”
Moratti’s anger stems from the 2006 scandal when Juve were demoted for procuring favourable referees.
Even the usually placid Javier Zanetti complained.
“I’ve been through a lot of negative situations such as this evening’s one but recently they always happen to us,” he said.
“I’m talking about the non-existent penalty which Atalanta were awarded, which was really shameful.”
Inter then aired some even more outspoken comments from television presenter Paolo Bonolis, a well-known fan of the club, on their television channel.
He said there was a conspiracy to help Milan into the Champions League and suggested Inter should field their junior team in protest.
That was the final straw for Milan who replied with an indignant statement.
“The comments of Paolo Bonolis, made to the Inter Channel, are exceptionally serious and have no basis whatsoever,” they said angrily.
Italy Football Federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete agreed that Inter had gone too far.
“The criticism should not be about the good or bad faith of the referees,” he said.
“Referees can make mistakes just as international players can miss open goals,” he said referring to a staggering miss by Inter’s Andrea Ranocchia against Atalanta.
Elsewhere, Giampaolo Pazzini is expected to get another chance for Milan against Napoli after Balotelli was suspended for three games for his behaviour at last week’s 2-2 draw at Fiorentina.
Balotelli was booked for failing to retreat at a free-kick, earning him an automatic one-match suspension for accumulated yellow cards, and got another two games for insulting match officials.
Pazzini should be the frontline partner for Stephan El Shaarawy, who has struggled for goals since Balotelli’s arrival.
Serie A
Playing Today
Pescara vs Siena 18.00
Atalanta vs Fiorentina 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Cagliari vs Inter
Chievo vs Catania
Genoa vs Sampdoria
Milan vs Napoli 20.45
Palermo vs Bologna 12.30
Parma vs Udinese
Torino vs Roma
Monday
Lazio vs Juventus 20.45
Standings: Juventus 71; Napoli 62; Milan 58; Fiorentina 52; Lazio 51; Inter 50; Roma 48; Catania 46; Udinese 45; Parma, Cagliari 39; Bologna, Atalanta 37; Sampdoria, Torino 36; Chievo 35; Siena, Palermo, Genoa 27; Pescara 21.
Serie B
Played Yesterday
Grosseto vs Empoli 0-1
Cesena vs Verona 0-0
Today – 15.00
Ascoli vs Modena
Bari vs Lanciano
Cittadella vs Padova
Crotone vs Pro Vercelli
Juve Stabia vs Spezia
Novara vs Vicenza
Sassuolo vs Brescia
Ternana vs Reggina
Varese vs Livorno
Standings: Sassuolo 73; Verona 68; Livorno 67; Empoli 60; Novara 53; Varese 52; Brescia 49; Cesena, Juve Stabia 45; Modena 44; Ternana, Crotone, Padova 43; Spezia, Lanciano, Cittadella 42; Reggina 41; Bari, Ascoli 40; Vicenza 32; Pro Vercelli 28; Grosseto 23.