Roma coach Fabio Capello blasted referee Stefano Farina and his defender Christian Panucci after Roma went down to their third defeat in the space of a week with a shock 2-1 home reverse to newly-promoted Modena.
Roma led through a Francesco Totti penalty in the fifth minute but the turning point of the game came a minute befoore half-time when Farina awarded a controversial penalty. Roma defender Panucci was then dismissed for dissent after disputing the referee’s decision to award the penalty.
Modena snatched all three points through a Giuseppe Sculli goal on 77 minutes.
‘We were certainly not playing well but that penalty and the red card decided the match,’ Capello said.
‘It was an incredible penalty to award because it is clear that Emerson was just trying to shield the ball,’ added the Roma coach.
The Roma coach had little sympathy for Panucci and, quizzed about the behaviour of his defender, Capello replied: ‘Angry? Yes, very. A referee can make mistakes but not a player. A player can make an error in play but not with his language.’
‘We are not yet in condition that is a reality…We have to look to improve all elements of our game, above all the psychological aspect,’ said Capello.
