Maldini blasts ‘scandalous’ Blatter

Maldini on a verbal attack... never seen this guy on the front foot like this before... hmmm....



Maldini blasts ‘scandalous’ Blatter
Wednesday 6 September, 2006

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Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini has launched a sensational attack on FIFA President Joseph Blatter.

The defender has taken issue with Blatter’s comportment after the Azzurri beat France on penalties to win the World Cup this summer.

Blatter opted to not be a part of the award ceremony when the side was handed the trophy, a snub which Maldini finds hard to digest.

“The way FIFA treated us in Berlin was scandalous,” the former Azzurri captain said in an interview to magazine Panorama.

“Blatter refused to hand over the trophy to us and this is a scandal that our Federation did not react to,” he added.

“I had never seen anything like this and what is worse, Blatter keeps expressing very harsh comments on Italian football

“Now I understand why we never won as much as we deserved in the past.

“I think I know why everyone shows so little consideration for Italy, it’s mainly a political issue, but I think the FIGC must now behave like a Federation of world champions and make themselves heard.”

The veteran added that he may consider becoming some kind of football ambassador once he quits the game, even if he’s unsure of what his future holds.

”I have thought about this, but I don’t know what I will do,” he added before also criticising another important figure in the game.

“Let’s take Michel Platini’s example, he was always considered a very outspoken person, but now his statements always depend on what people think about him. I don’t really like what he says.”

Maldini was also asked for an opinion on former Milan boss Fabio Capello who was blasted by Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero last week.

“I fought with Capello in the past and that is no secret,” he added. “Discussions with him are always very heated, but one of his qualities is that he forgets the past very quickly.

“However, I must admit that I believe Barcelona are stronger than his Real Madrid side this season.”

It would be great to see a defender at a high level in FIFA - I'd hope he'd be able to influence the ongoing attempts to eliminate tackling (bloody Platini).

Platini is fast becoming a real cock great player prick administrator

He is right.

We weren't 'allowed' to win by FIFA in 2002, S. Korea were 'allowed' to CHEAT Italy and Spain out of the World Cup.

Italy though were CHEATED from the start, it was scandalous.

Consider the referees in our group. In the three games against Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico we have FOUR goals disallowed for 'offside' and ONE for a 'foul' on a goalkeeper.

The players, management and medias went into that game with Korea CONVINCED that there was a FIFA conspiracy to eliminate us. Plus we get an IDIOT, Moreno given to referee this match.

In Extra time, the CHEATING from FIFA really starts. Totti is sent off for 'diving', this is a disgusting. It was a clear foul from behind on Totti, just look at the protests from the Italian players to this decision, just look at Maldini's reaction!!!

And then YET ANOTHER Italy goal is disallowed for the non-existant 'offside'. Cheats and we are out.

Still, poor Hiddink, we got our revenge this summer, hey - not nice to lose by cheating eh Guus?

Pirlo wrote:He is right.

We weren't 'allowed' to win by FIFA in 2002, S. Korea were 'allowed' to CHEAT Italy and Spain out of the World Cup.

Italy though were CHEATED from the start, it was scandalous.

Consider the referees in our group. In the three games against Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico we have FOUR goals disallowed for 'offside' and ONE for a 'foul' on a goalkeeper.

The players, management and medias went into that game with Korea CONVINCED that there was a FIFA conspiracy to eliminate us. Plus we get an IDIOT, Moreno given to referee this match.

In Extra time, the CHEATING from FIFA really starts. Totti is sent off for 'diving', this is a disgusting. It was a clear foul from behind on Totti, just look at the protests from the Italian players to this decision, just look at Maldini's reaction!!!

And then YET ANOTHER Italy goal is disallowed for the non-existant 'offside'. Cheats and we are out.

Still, poor Hiddink, we got our revenge this summer, hey - not nice to lose by cheating eh Guus?

Why attack Hiddink on this one? Absolutly no need to.

SpartaR wrote:

Pirlo wrote:

Still, poor Hiddink, we got our revenge this summer, hey - not nice to lose by cheating eh Guus?

Why attack Hiddink on this one? Absolutly no need to.

Exactly.

It's nothing personal against Hiddink, he is a great motivator and a great tactician, i would like for him to come and manage in Serie A one day, he is a coach i have a lot of respect for in his ability.

BUT.. the way he was dancing around the pitch after that Korea game and the way all he talked about in the build up to this summers World Cup game against Australia by referencing the 'upset' and his reaction after he had been 'cheated' - as if he has any moral ground to stand on - really got to a lot of Italians.

We were delighted to get revenge on him, and after he accused Italy of sour grapes after the Korea win, we thoroughly enjoyed this vindication.

Italy weren't the onew who were the most cheated in 2002.

Spain were. Daylight robbery if there ever was.

theflyingfrenchman wrote:Italy weren't the onew who were the most cheated in 2002.

Spain were. Daylight robbery if there ever was.

Yes, was it Joaquin who was cheated?

The Korea conspiracy of 2002 was a disgrace, a filth for us and for Spain.

Parks Lives wrote:

I like your humour, but even you would be foolish to deny that there was something 'very strange' happening at that World Cup.

2002 was obviously fixed to help Korea.

Blatter was obviously pissed off that Italy won the World Cup, that's why he didn't present the trophy. You can bet he would have presented it if France had won.

The other bit of anti Italy bias by Fifa was banning Materazzi for being headbutted by their golden boy Zidane. Imagine if it had been the other way round, no way they would have banned Zidane for being headbutted.

well a year ago i would not have thought that refs would be in on this but the scandal in italy has my wondering esp since italy were cheated but it was coincedence,as it was with spain.
but blatter, who is currently being invistigated for being corupt allong with others from fifa, should have given the trophy to italy.
about materazzi i think it is more about the way he is in the public and that zidane is such a start, then it is about him being italian.

Murray wrote:2002 was obviously fixed to help Korea.

Blatter was obviously pissed off that Italy won the World Cup, that's why he didn't present the trophy. You can bet he would have presented it if France had won.

The other bit of anti Italy bias by Fifa was banning Materazzi for being headbutted by their golden boy Zidane. Imagine if it had been the other way round, no way they would have banned Zidane for being headbutted.

Gallas so clearly offside last night for all important 1st goal and Semioli not given pen by top ref.