Juventus 'Deserve A Voice As Well...'
Giuseppe Solinas writes: "As a member of numerus soccer forums I feel compelled to tell you that Goal.com is widely considered to be an anti-Juve platform. I'm not sure if that is the public opinion desired at Goal.com but in the spirit of journalistic objectivity I feel it is only fair to publish this editorial. Juventus' fanbase deserve a voice as well."
Goal.com would like to point out that it is neither pro nor anti any particular club, and that its journalists seek to be objective irrespective of their own club loyalties, which cover a broad spectrum (including Juventus). That said, we are happy to publish Giuseppe's article on perceived media bias against the Old Lady...
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As a naturally inquisitive soccer fan I find it incomprehensible how limited certain fans can be. We are into the 7th matchday of Serie A and controversy has plagued the league already. It seems a certain soccer powerhouse cannot earn so much as a draw without being attacked by rival supporters.
The first element of confusion that still dumbfounds me is the idea (by now shared by very few) that Juventus were actually caught match fixing and sent to Serie B for that purpose. The actual Calciopoli sentence from the federal courts can be viewed by anyone on the FIGC's official website in the archive section where such a notion is completely dismantled by statements like:
- Pg 74-75 there was no "cupola" or "Moggi System"
- Pg 76 no proof article 6 violations (match fixing) against Juventus
- Pg 83 referee selections were done in accordance with the rules of the FIGC
- Pg 101 the yellow cards were not organized.
- Pg 61 states that Juventus was not responsible for the salvation of Fiorentina after the De Santis-influenced game between Lecce and Parma that finished in a tie allowing the Viola to survive in Serie A
This is the tip of the iceberg and I encourage anyone interested to view the sentence for themselves and email farsopoli@hotmail.com for further information including obtaining actual wiretaps and legal documents from the trial.
That is the past however. Looking at the present is just as puzzling. In the first 7 games of the Serie A season Juventus won two games by substantial margins (Livorno 5-1 and Reggina 4-0) and no slander appeared in the papers following the performances. The other game oddly left untouched by the media was Juventus's 1-0 loss to Udinese. All else has been the subject of criticism and constant attacks.
It astounds me that to even the most uninformed calcio fan, it seems possible that Juventus could be corrupting the system. Let's assume for the sake of argument that Juventus were cheaters in Calciopoli instead of cheated. After, we saw the player roster almost entirely changed, the coach changed, the financial situation changed, the managers changed, the referee designers changed as did the FIGC directors.
How could Juventus possibly have the capability of influencing anything? It also needs to be stated that Calciopoli cost Juventus nearly a quarter of a billion Euros; it seems highly illogical that upon their return to the top flight they would try to condition referees.
This has not stopped the Anti-Juventino population from carrying on the same tune we've all grown a little tired of. Well, let's look at what hasn't changed. Juventus have done well to take points off of favorites like Roma and Fiorentina. Juventus have positioned themselves comfortably in 2nd place. A Juventus striker has even positioned himself as the league's leading goal scorer. Just like before, Juve are doing well despite being in a rebuilding phase with numerous injuries. Another thing that hasn't changed is the media structure in Italy which has its base in the city of Milano.
It should come as no surprise that once again, the combination of Juventus doing well and the press having its base and ownership in direct unison with rival teams has led to a whole new season of the "same old excuses".
Astonishingly Juventus and her fans found themselves in a position of self defense in certain cases where being the accusers would have been more logical. Against Cagliari referee Farina called 3 very generous penalties against Juventus (with one finally overturned). Juventus nonetheless won 3-2 and were accused of benefitting from referee assistance after a Trezeguet
goal was allowed to stand. All replays showed an onside goal. No one questioned the penalties however.
Against Roma, Juventus were accused of referee favoritism again. Apparently, Nedved simulated for a penalty that was never scored (replays showed both leg contact and a push). Numerous offside calls were also contested by Roma and the press but what was cleverly not contested was the Roma offside that the referee allowed leading to a Totti goal.
Against Torino Trezeguet scored a goal that was again the subject of "offside" criticism. No one informed the press and Toro management of the pass back rule. Thankfully referee designer Collina clarified the issue. After all, managers can't just re-write the rules of the sport when they lose.
Against Fiorentina the team was again subjected to accusations. Iaquinta's goal was invalid according to critics based on Trezeguet's offside position. Though Trezeguet was in an offside position, FIFA rules dictate that unless Trezeguet was in direct obstruction of goalkeeper Frey, his position could not be penalized. All replays show Iaquinta's goal go in on the far side
while Frey was positioned wrongfully on the near side of the net rendering Trezeguet's position absolutely meaningless. With or without David's run, Frey would not have been capable of stopping the shot based on his position not Trezeguet's (which may be why he didn't even attempt a save).
That didn't stop the media parade from printing countless articles regarding the goal. The press did however succeed in distracting the public from the other episode in the game. Mutu leveled the game thanks to yet another generous penalty against the "Old Lady" in the 88th minute. Though arm contact cannot be disputed, FIFA rules require demonstration of deliberate
intent to award a penalty. Replays show that Legrotaglie's arms made no motion towards the ball and distance between the defender and Vieri did not allow Legrotaglie enough time to react and avoid the contact. A soft penalty to say the least.
Amazingly the two denied penalty shots against Udinese failed to meet the editor's approval for print. Similarly the disallowed Iaquinta equalizer (same game) for a foul by Del Piero meters away from the play didn't make the cut either. A trend can be noted and those who need to buy into the excuses are not about to relinquish their crutch.
Unfortunately it has become apparent that every game that results in a Juventus draw or narrow victory will be followed by a week's worth of accusations and excuses which says a lot for sportsmanship and humility in the calcio world. Worse yet is the fact that no matter how many decisions wrongfully go against Juventus neither the team nor the fans will likely find a platform to express discontent. Maybe objectivity is better suited for other sports.
Giuseppe Solinas
