“Apologize but not to me, thanks”

The recording of the RefCam worn by the referee Mariani in Napoli–Cremonese shows what happened during some exciting phases of the match won by the Azzurri. There is one in particular, it explains well what is the fairest attitude a race director can have when things get heated and bring immediate calm. The protagonist is Hojlund (author of the brace): spat with Baschirotto which he faces almost face to face, thus reacting to the defender’s attempts to stop him (also) with great skill. The whistle intervenes with the right measure of severity to rebuke the Neapolitan striker who let himself be carried away by adrenaline: “Come here… tell me if you need to do these scenes. And don’t apologize to me but to Baschirotto”.

The severity of referee Mariani who brings Hojlund back to order

The video sequence in question refers to what happened in the first half, after the opening goal scored by Hojlund. Napoli continues to attack and the former Manchester United player works hard to free himself from the marking of his opponents, in particular from Baschirotto who tries to assert his physicality in the duel with the Dane. Following one of these normal clashes of play, the Neapolitan striker loses patience and makes an angry gesture, Mariani nips such behavior in the bud.

“Oh, here… Baschi go”says Mariani, inviting the Cremonese player to move away. “Oh oh, I’ll take care of it”ordered to the Napoli captain, Di Lorenzo, who got in the way. Then he turns to Hojlund and calls him to order: “Come with me. No… leave him, leave him… and you stay good, good. Here with me, here with me, here with me”are the words uttered by the whistler as he avoids gatherings and discussions. And when he comes face to face with Hojlund he scolds him: “Tell me if you need to do these scenes”. “Okay, sorry”replies the footballer. Mariani does not compromise and remains firm as well as suggesting a conciliatory gesture to the player, acting as a peacemaker. “You don’t have to apologize to me but to Baschirotto”. Once clarified, the situation is composed as follows: “Are you there? Thanks guys. Thanks.”

Mariani and Zerbin’s protests for the penalty: “Stand up, that’s never a penalty!”

Last Sunday, live on TV, another moment of the match was shown: the protests of Zerbin and Cremonese for an alleged penalty kick requested due to contact between Rrahmani and the attacking winger (formerly on duty). Mariani, who from the images shows how he has a clear view and is in an excellent position to evaluate that episode, has no doubts.

First he gestures clearly, immediately indicating that there is no foul for him. Then, when he notices that the player remains on the ground protesting, he orders him: “Get up! Get up! Get up! That’s never a penalty!”.