Comolli and Chiellini: "Inter-Juve a Global Shame, It's the Point of No Return"

Europe - Ekhbary News Agency

Comolli and Chiellini: "Inter-Juve a Global Shame, It's the Point of No Return"

The recent Derby d'Italia clash between Inter and Juventus, culminating in a 3-2 victory for the Nerazzurri, has once again plunged Italian football into a maelstrom of controversy. Beyond the thrilling on-field action, the post-match narrative was dominated by an outpouring of indignation from prominent Juventus figures, with CEO Comolli and former legendary defender Giorgio Chiellini unequivocally labeling the events as a "global shame" and a definitive "point of no return" for the sport in Italy.

The highly anticipated encounter at San Siro unfolded with dramatic twists. Inter initially took the lead thanks to an own goal by Cambiaso and strikes from Pio Esposito and Zielinski. Despite Juventus's valiant efforts to level the score at 2-2 through goals from Cambiaso and Locatelli, it was Zielinski's late intervention that ultimately sealed the victory for Inter. However, the Bianconeri were left with a profound sense of injustice, firmly believing that contentious refereeing decisions had a direct and detrimental impact on the match's flow and its final outcome.

Following the final whistle, the Juventus coach was notably absent from the press conference. Instead, CEO Comolli stepped forward to address the media, his anger and dismay palpable. Speaking to Sky Sport, Comolli declared, "What happened tonight is a disgrace, and it can never happen again. It has happened again, and again, and again, and tonight is the summary of what we have seen all season. And to see it happen before the eyes of the whole world is simply a disgrace." He further conveyed the club's deep disappointment and their united front in combating injustice, vowing that they would not give up.

Chiellini, who was visibly incensed and seen confronting referee La Penna at the end of the first half, was no less scathing in his remarks. The former defender stated, "You can't talk about football, it becomes difficult to talk about football. Today something unacceptable happened, yet another episode since the start of the season. Whether it happens to us or others, tomorrow VAR will probably change because this error is unacceptable, it ruins a match like this." Chiellini emphasized that the refereeing standard was not adequate for a match of such magnitude, asserting that this spectacle is "what we show to the world," and stressed the urgent need for immediate, not procrastinated, change.

Chiellini also delved into the persistent criticism leveled against the refereeing system throughout the season, noting that "everyone has been saying since the beginning of the year that there isn't an adequate structure, with errors week after week." He questioned the underlying causes of these issues: "Is the level not adequate? Is there too much pressure? Professionals or non-professionals? Are they not well trained? Are they not good enough? We cannot go on like this." He alluded to the fact that these errors are not exclusive to Juventus but affect other teams, underscoring that the problem extends beyond a single match.

In his comments to DAZN, Chiellini reiterated that what transpired was "unacceptable" and that the entire club, including ownership, coach, players, and directors, stood united in condemnation. "This is the spectacle that Italian football should offer, the most important match ruined in such a hasty manner by a decision like this. It's another in a series that doesn't just involve us, but we talk about it every week: there's a protocol that isn't working well, it's unacceptable that today this error cannot be changed at the regulatory level, but there were four on the field to find a way. The system isn't working, it's clear: since the beginning of the season, we have tried to be proactive and propositional to try to change it, and we are at a point of no return."

Comolli further added to DAZN that Juventus had not only lost three points but that Italian football had lost far more. He characterized the events as a "complete injustice," extending an apology to the fans who had believed in the club, stating that they were unable to fight, win, or play after what had occurred. He underscored the club's unity in the face of injustice, affirming their determination to fight until the end of the season.

These powerful statements place Italian football at a critical crossroads. Demands for changes to VAR protocols and improvements in refereeing standards are not new, but their intensity escalates with each controversial incident. What happened in the Derby d'Italia was more than just a loss of three points for Juventus; it was another blow to the image of Serie A on the global stage, necessitating swift and decisive action to ensure fairness and sporting integrity.

Ekhbary News Agency