The Juventus bench badgered and harassed the linesman into changing his decision, claims Catania President

The Juventus bench 'badgered and harassed' the linesman into changing his decision, claims Catania president

Oct 28, 2012 6:15:00 PM

The Old Lady won in controversial fashion after Bergessio's strike was incorrectly ruled out for offside, leaving the Rossazzurri infuriated at the final whistle

Catania president Antonino Pulvirenti was angered by the officials' performance in his team's defeat to Juventus at the Angelo Massimino on Sunday.

The Serie A league leaders secured a 1-0 victory in Sicily, but the hosts had taken the lead through Gonzalo Bergessio in the first half only for the goal to be disallowed for an incorrect offside decision, nearly a minute after the final touch.

"This is the third incident against us. It happened with Parma, then Inter, and now here today," Pulvirenti told Sky Sport Italia.

"The linesman had given Bergessio's goal, then disallowed it after the protests from the Juventus bench. This is more than mere psychological sublimation to bigger clubs, it is something more.

"It is shameful that the players who were warming up like Simone Pepe and Emanuele Giaccherini got the goal chalked off by harassing the linesman."

He added: "Mistakes can happen, but the real issue here is that the linesman had made a decision and changes his mind after being badgered and harassed by the Juventus bench.

"What are we supposed to do? Sit back and passively accept these things? There are seven officials and nobody seems to notice anything."

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