Cantù returns to the pitch tonight, with a legitimate hope of being able to return to Desio again after 4, to face the “beautiful” team. Among the reflections of these hours, there is also that relating to the referees. A theme that is also taking center stage in the championship final between Virtus Bologna and Milan. The statements of Christos Stavropoulos, Olimpia’s manager, were, in their composure, so direct as to make one think that there is something to discuss.
Words that inspired his Cantù counterpart, Sandro Santoro.
Have you read Stavropoulos’ statements? “Certain. Christos is a professional of such ability and experience that he induces every manager to read what he publicly declares.”
Do you find any similarities in the discontent of Milan’s top manager with what was revealed in your final? «The problem raised is the meter which has different evolutions from match to match and within the same match. The main concern remains this especially when the areas of competition rise to the highest levels. We find ourselves faced with equivalent game situations evaluated with two different metrics.”
Can you give some specific examples? «A certain physicality is allowed on one side of the pitch and on the other, slight contacts or even non-existent contacts are called. 4 fouls to 1 against us in a minute and a half at the beginning of the fourth period in game 2 and 4 to 1 in game 3 in just over 5 minutes. Most of these fouls were called on Christian Burns in this sequence: a foul on Eli Brooks where he is clearly seen walking him towards the end line until he loses the ball; Burns who doesn’t touch Reyes in the slightest in the action but, nevertheless, is awarded a foul on a shot and three free throws. I would say that the foul suffered in game 2 by Bucarelli was much more striking, as it had been evaluated with an opposite criterion and where instead the foul had been there and had been sanctioned but not considered on the shot. Burns’ fifth foul, a foul is called in attack on the Cantù player when Vildera from Trieste is holding him back. I underline the fact that Burns was still on the pitch because he was not allowed a substitution by the referees before the free throws, following his fourth foul.”
What can we expect in game 4? «I say that refereeing is not an easy thing but the weight of the mistakes that we all make can have a different specific weight in certain phases of the season such as this final and within the single match. We must develop the conviction that we do not do two different jobs but have different roles within the same profession and in the same sport. We must hope to be adequate for this key moment of the season and this applies to everyone: players, coaches, referees included.”
