Mancini ban upheld

[Taxigirl]

www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov4h.html


Roberto Mancini’s two-match touchline ban has been upheld by the Italian FA Appeals Commission, it emerged on Friday.

Inter had appealed against the initial decision, which banned their Coach from the bench for two matches and fined him £2,000 for using foul and abusive language towards match official Roberto Rosetti after his side’s 3-2 home reverse to Roma.

The Commission concluded that because the Nerazzurri boss had been so vehement in his protests towards the referee that he ‘had to be forcibly restrained and kept at distance by club officials’, his two-game ban would remain enforced.

The 40-year-old, who has already served one of the matches, will now have to watch his side’s crucial away match against former side Lazio from the stands at the Stadio Olimpico alongside Juan Sebastian Veron, who was sent off in the fraught Roma match.

[Taxigirl]

www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov5a.html





Roberto Mancini is furious that the touchline ban will leave him in the stands for Inter’s must-win trip to his old club, Lazio.

“There are two different ways of treating people in the ordinary justice system, but in sport it goes beyond the pale,” snapped the Nerazzurri boss. “I guess it just means we’ll enjoy it all the more when we win without help from anyone.”


Mancini’s two-match touchline ban for using abusive and insulting language to a referee was confirmed on appeal, whereas Milan and Juventus saw their players – Pippo Inzaghi, Adrian Mutu, Pavel Nedved and Lilian Thuram – cleared after video evidence of their incidents was viewed.


Inter defender Walter Samuel fell foul of the process after August’s Italian Super Cup, handed a three-match ban for allegedly spitting at Nedved.


Meanwhile, Mancini must restore calm to the Nerazzurri ahead of tonight’s tricky trip to Lazio, after picking up just one point from their last two games against Roma and Sampdoria.


“It’s very important to win in Rome, even if it’s not going to be decisive, but it would give us consistency after the 2-1 Champions League victory over Porto midweek. I think that we can do it, as despite the difficulties we have had of late, I saw the lads more relaxed than before the games with Roma and Samp.”


It won’t be easy, as Lazio are unbeaten on home turf this season with four wins and a draw, while Inter have horrid memories of losing the Scudetto here with a 4-2 defeat on the infamous May 5 2002.


“I spent many happy years at Lazio and had a lot of fun, winning some silverware on the way. Esteban Cambiasso and Ivan Cordoba are already improving on their fitness from a couple of days ago, while Cristiano Zanetti is coming off a bout of flu.”


David Pizarro is set to replace the suspended Juan Sebastian Veron, but there are doubts over Adriano’s presence after another poor performance against Porto. Substitute Julio Cruz came off the bench to score both goals in Europe on Wednesday and could be rewarded with a starting spot.


“I have four strikers at my disposal and will make my decision on the day. To be perfectly honest, I have a few things to consider,” confessed the Coach.


“Adriano’s only problem is that since the summer he hasn’t been able to train for more than four days in a row. We want him to stay with us during the break for international duty and train regularly to get back in shape.”


There could also be changes in defence, as former Lazio star Sinisa Mihajlovic is now fully fit after a long-term injury.


“Samuel and Marco Materazzi are struggling with problems. I think Mihajlovic has the experience, the charisma and the quality to do well in this match.”



Inter squad:


Gk: Toldo, Julio Cesar, Orlandoni


D: Cordoba, Burdisso, J Zanetti, Mihajlovic, Ze' Maria, Favalli, Materazzi, Samuel, Wome, Andreolli


M: C Zanetti, Figo, Pizarro, Cambiasso, Solari, Maa Boumsong


F: Cruz, Adriano, Recoba, Martins