Conti stands by Totti
Roma boss Bruno Conti has taken a more lenient stance towards Francesco Totti and tries to avoid another defeat at Sampdoria.
“I hope that this is the last incident of this kind we’ll have to discuss,” said the Coach after Totti was given a five-match ban for striking Siena defender Francesco Colonnese in an off the ball incident.
“I advise him to forget what happened and try to silence his critics with his extraordinary performances on the field.”
The Capital club had originally slammed Totti’s behaviour as “indefensible” and pledged to dock the maximum 30 per cent of his wages as punishment, especially as this is certainly not the first time the Italian international has lashed out.
“I saw the video evidence and don’t wish to point the finger, but Colonnese threw himself on the ground and there were a few words exchanged. Players should stop this constant provocation.”（channel4）
Roma’s Francesco Totti has apologised for striking Francesco Colonnese in the Siena defeat but insists he was provoked.
The captain struck at out the defender in an off the ball incident which cost the Italian a five-match ban.
"I know that I made a mistake and I apologise for what happened," he told Roma Channel on Tuesday
"But to hear unrepeatable phrases which affect your private life is not a nice thing. I’m paying the consequences but I think it is right that those who provoke are also punished."
Although Totti concedes that he was right to be handed a suspension, he rates his ban as extreme.
"My gesture was not one of a captain and it wasn’t the right example to set youngsters," continued the No 10. "I shouldn’t fall in such traps.
"It is right that I am forced to pay for my actions but the ban I was given seems a little excessive.
"I don’t know why I am the only one who has to pay when I make an error. Perhaps I am looked at differently because I am a Roman and a Romanista."
He continued: "I have never permitted myself to insult another person. I can accept normal fouls but I reacted to ‘heavy’ words."
Totti has already missed one game but his club are lodging an appeal in an effort to have his suspension reduced.
This isn’t the first time that Totti has reacted on the football pitch. He was banned at Euro 2004 after he spat in the face of a Danish player during Italy’s opening fixture.
发表于 2005-4-24 20:18:00
发表于 2005-4-24 21:33:00