Punish Ancelotti, Says Perugia Chief
Wednesday 17th January 2001
As Perugia prepare for the visit of Juventus on Sunday, president Luciano
Gaucci has added more fire to the war of words between the two sides by
demanding that Juve manager Carlo Ancelotti be hauled before a disciplinary
hearing.
There is no love lost between Perugia and Juventus. The Umbrian side cost
the Turin giants the title last year by beating them in the last game of the
season. And the spat between Gaucci and Ancelotti threatens to run and run
with the controversial Perugia chief accusing Juventus of being "bullies".
Gaucci made the headlines at the weekend by disputing the refereeing
decisions that led to two of his midfielders - David Baiocco and Fabio
Liverani - getting sent off in their match against Brescia at the weekend
and which have depleted Perugia's midfield for the visit of Juventus.
But Ancelotti was outraged at Gaucci for airing his views during on the live
television programme, Controcampo, on Sunday. The Juve coach said: "Gaucci
has missed out on yet another opportunity to keep his mouth shut."
Not one for letting sleeping dogs lie, Gaucci hit back at Ancelotti on
Wednesday afternoon, asking him why he didn't say as much when he was
interviewed on the programme.
"Well done Ancelotti," he said. "He dares to try and take away my right to
voice an opinion by saying that I should have shut up. Why didn't he say
that to me on television at the weekend?"
"I would have known how to reply to him, alright. I answered all the
questions put to me by the presenter of Controcampo. All he managed to come
up with was: 'I hope that it doesn't rain on Sunday'."
Ancelotti was clearly referring to the extra-ordinary weather conditions
that descended on the Renato Curi stadium on that fateful day in Perugia in
the last game of last season.
Torrential rain made the conditions unplayable and referee Pierluigi Collina
suspended action for over an hour and a half before allowing the game to
resume, much to the chagrin of Juventus, who went on to lose 1-0.
"Those comments yet again raised suspicions about the referee's decision,"
continued Gaucci, before going on to request Ancelotti be sanctioned for
making inflammatory comments.
"He must be brought to task because there is no limit to the bullying of
Juventus - and there needs to be."
