Catania administrator Pietro Lo Monaco could face action
after ‘instigating violence’ in his war of words with Inter boss
Jose Mourinho.
The feud began when, after Inter’s 2-1 win over Catania on
Saturday, Mourinho said that his team deserved to win by four goals
and added that, had he played in place of Inter goalkeeper Julio
Cesar, “nothing would have changed".
Lo Monaco responded by saying the former Chelsea boss had no
respect and told him to keep his mouth shut in a phrase that
translates literally as “Mourinho should be hit in the teeth with a
stick”.
He added: "Mourinho should think of his own problems, how much
he and his team cost the club.
"I hope he succeeds because, if he doesn't, he should take his
beautiful suitcase and go back to his own country."
Mourinho then hit back, accusing Lo Monaco of using his name to
try to generate publicity.
He said: "Some time ago, I said that there were people who
wanted to be on the first page of the newspapers by using my name
and talking about me.
“I have a sponsor who pays me to advertise him, and I do not
give free publicity to anyone.
“As for Lo Monaco, I do not know who he is. With the name
Monaco, I have heard of Bayern Monaco (Munich) and the Monaco GP,
the Tibetan Monaco (Monk) and the Principality of Monaco.
“I have never heard of any others.”
That prompted Lo Monaco to rubbish suggestions he was interested
in making the front pages and said Italian football would be better
off without the Portuguese.
“I don't think Italian football would lose anything without
Mourinho,” he said.
“Firstly, I certainly don't care about newspaper headlines. I
have never looked for publicity. I just try to do the best I can
with the humble funds our president can supply.
“Secondly, it is disgraceful that Mourinho makes money through
publicity and threw this in my face, along with the people of
Catania and all the other smaller clubs, with his disgusting air of
superiority and disdain.
“Last of all, I am called Lo Monaco and not just Monaco.”
But, despite continuing the feud, Lo Monaco stressed that his
‘hit in the teeth with a stick’ remark was not meant to be taken
literally.
“My comment wasn't meant to incite violence and I will apologise
for that if some people think it did,” he added.
“Inter have the strongest squad in Europe, but sadly they also
have the biggest blabbermouth of a coach.”
However, despite these remarks, Roberto Maroni, Italy’s
Mininister of the Interior, has called on the Italian football
authorities to take action against Lo Monaco.
“I am frankly stunned by certain comments made by Serie A
executives,” he said.
“Their comments seem to instigate violence.
“When a football executive tells a rival coach that he should be
hit in the teeth with a stick, I would expect the sporting judges
or the Italian football league or the Italian Football Federation
to take action immediately.”