I AM the Football Star

Chapter 565: Chapter 151: Who Approves, Who Opposes?

In this situation, a single Vincent cannot calm everyone’s anger. Both Martivini and his competitors might end up being tossed out, allowing a third party to reap the benefits.

This is possible, and Martivini has already sensed the other’s moves.

Therefore, Martivini’s position may still hold some variables.

”Results are one aspect, but Italy’s most severe problem now isn’t the national team’s performance,” Lu Yang said. ”It’s the image of Italian football!”

Since the match-fixing scandal, the image of Italian football has never recovered. When Serie A is mentioned, fans immediately think of match-fixing.

This is the direct trigger for Serie A’s decline.

For years, this image has remained unchangeable.

Currently, all Italian fans seem to want is the national team’s achievement, but in reality... this is just their perceived remedy.

If the national team’s performance improves, will foreign fans still dare to disrespect them? Will they stop saying Italy’s championships were bought?

The root lies here.

It’s not just about performance.

And now, an opportunity is presented before Martivini.

Was there an issue with Wotrot, the main referee of the Zenit match?

In fact, those who understand football should see that he has no issue; he’s just purely lacking professional competence. He’s too indecisive for the role of a main referee.

Economically, at least in this match, he should be clean.

But now, the problem is no longer his refereeing, but rather San Remo demanding fairness from UEFA.

”So, you’re hoping the Italian Football Association will step forward and demand justice for San Remo?” Martivini shook his head instinctively, ”Not to mention it’s difficult for me to unify our internal voices.”

”Even if I could achieve that, UEFA will never bow down.”

”You don’t quite get the UEFA Refereeing Committee, they’re relatively independent and have significant authority. UEFA might compromise on anything, but on the issue of the main referee, they never allow others to interfere.”

”There’s too much involved here. There are some implicit interests among referees. Besides ensuring fair competition, they sometimes have to do things contrary to that!”

If Martivinni’s words were leaked, it would likely cause a huge controversy.

But in fact, this is an open secret within the circle.

Otherwise, why do some main referees repeatedly guilty of ”major mistakes” always climb the ranks?

If they didn’t make these ”mistakes,” they might not even get a chance to officiate those important matches.

The Italian Football Association also has a bunch of such referees involved; no one in European football can claim to have not participated. How could they possibly confront UEFA and the referee committee for this?

It’s unrealistic.

”Precisely because everyone knows it won’t succeed, the support from the Italian Football Association therefore seems so valuable!” Lu Yang looked at Martivini. ”That’s the only way to show the courage under Mr. Martivini’s leadership in the Italian Football Association!”

”With such football leadership, how would Serie A ever turn into the ’Fake League’?”

Martivini was taken aback.

It’s asking him to make a huge move!

If this kind of thing doesn’t succeed, the consequences will be very dire.

But if it succeeds... the rewards would be extremely plentiful!

”This is too risky!” Martivini kept shaking his head, repeating this sentence.

But interestingly enough... though no one was persuading him, though no one continuously murmured in his ear, he was constantly denying.

Who was he having a conversation with, would you say?

Who was urging him to give it a try?

Was it Lu Yang?

No...

It was the ambition in Martivini’s heart.

If he could accomplish this, even if UEFA doesn’t concede, once Martivini makes a statement, the Italian Football Association will be commendable.

The first step to reversing the reputation of Italian football would be achieved.

At that point, no one would have any objections to how long Martivini stays as the head of the Italian Football Association.

Why bother with one or two terms!

Seeing Martivini’s mind already in turmoil, Maniero finally took over the conversation and chatted with Lu Yang.

He was somewhat of an outsider, and his title as the ”brain of Italy” was well-deserved, so he could see that Lu Yang still had more to say.

Otherwise, the mere confrontation between the Italian Football Association and UEFA, even if bundled with San Remo, would still leave the Italian Football Association as the weaker party.

While it might move local fans, the Italian Football Association would likely endure plenty of ”punishment” from the overall European football scene.

This is definitely not the best strategy.

One could predict that an inquiry from a subordinate to a superior will never yield the answer that the superior is wrong.

Moreover, the punishments involving Lam and Sotu in that match were at least not wrong; their red cards were not unwarranted.

The superior criticizes and punishes you for your mistakes but doesn’t mention their own faults and errors. This is a completely unequal responsibility, leaving the subordinate too passive.

Unless... the subordinate has something to control the superior.

Only this way can it induce the superior to self-reflect while criticizing the subordinate, fostering an equal situation.

Only like this would the Italian Football Association not be implicated but instead regain its reputation.

So...what exactly is this means to control UEFA?

”What are you planning to do if the Italian Football Association stands by your side?” Maniero asked.