In this round's blockbuster Serie A clash, Inter Milan beat Juventus 3-2.
After the match, Giorgio Chiellini was interviewed by Camel Live.
(Juventus coaches and players refused post-match interviews due to dissatisfaction with the referee’s decisions.)
What do you want to say about what happened today?
“After what happened today, it’s hard to talk about football rather than the match. I understand the studio wants to discuss the game, but what happened today is unacceptable. This is another incident of this kind this season. It happened to us today, and to others before. Maybe even VAR will be changed tomorrow, because things cannot go on like this.”
“Mistakes like this in a match of this caliber are unacceptable. We have spoken constructively since the start of the season, hoping the standard of refereeing would match the level of the game, but it clearly has not. This is the image we show the world. Not only us, but other teams have been through similar situations this season. Change must come immediately, not with endless delays, as Italian football too often does.”
Did you speak with referee La Penna after the match?
“We had no chance to communicate with La Penna after the game.”
What exactly do you mean by ‘change must happen’?
“Since the start of the season, everyone has pointed out that Serie A currently lacks a structure matching the league’s level, with controversial incidents every week. We have tried to give constructive feedback, but we cannot have a different team complaining here every week. The overall standard is clearly not good enough. Maybe it’s too much pressure, maybe they are not professional referees, lack training, preparation or quality… whatever the reason, it clearly cannot continue.”
“Today was the Derby d’Italia, a match watched by the whole world. It should not be decided in such a careless way. It affected us today, others before, and will affect others in the future. After a match like this, it’s hard to talk about football. As for Rocchi (head of the referees’ committee)? If you put it that way, it’s clear this group is not functioning properly. Someone has to take responsibility. I heard he will leave at the end of the season; we’ll see what happens. He wasn’t even here today.”
Are you criticizing the current rules, or directly the management?
“The rules themselves need to be changed, and tonight is proof. But beyond that, there are many ways to avoid such mistakes and rushed decisions. It’s the same every week: last week De Rossi, before that Gasperini, before that Conte. We are not the first, and we won’t be the last. The problem is obvious – something is wrong, and the rules are only part of it.”
Do you think matches like Inter vs. Juventus need a higher level of referees?
“It’s easy to talk about it now, but not really appropriate. It’s not my decision to make. What I regret is that referees are young men like us. But it’s also clear that they are not at the level required to officiate matches of this stature.”
