© EuroFootball.com
After the 20th round match of the Italian championship between the local team "Livorno" and the capital team "Roma" on Sunday, passions flared up. Representatives lashed out at the match referee Nicola Ayroldi and claimed to have become victims of poor refereeing.
The episodes that caused the most dissatisfaction were the penalty kick awarded to "Roma", converted by Cristiano Lucarelli, and the expulsion of Roma's leader Francesco Totti from the field at the end of the match.
The capital team was not satisfied with the refereeing after last week's match against "Messina".
"I think they are just mocking us, and it has been going on for too long," expressed disappointment Roma defender Philippe Mexes. "It first happened while playing against 'Messina,' and later in the 'Livorno' matches, which we deserved to win."
Italian national team player S. Perrotta also did not spare criticism and said that referees should protect F. Totti more, who is constantly the main target of opponents.
"In the last two matches we played on equal terms, although we did not allow any goal opportunities at our goal, but two penalty kicks were awarded," said the world champion. "Yesterday's decision by the referees left me stunned. Totti must be protected in any case."
The general manager of Roma, Rosella Sensi, was more reserved and did not comment on the referees' work, but hoped that F. Totti would learn from this incident.
"I have nothing to say about the referee, he probably didn't see (Fabio) Galante's elbow movement, but it looked rough from outside the field," said R. Sensi. "But I cannot justify Francesco's actions in any way, and I hope that the player will learn from this. Now the club will decide whether Totti will be punished or not."
