Blanc defends Krasic following Bologna ´dive´

Juventus managing director Jean-Claude Blanc has sprung to the defence of Serbian winger Milos Krasic following his dive to win a penalty against Bologna on Sunday.

Krasic was awarded the penalty which Vincenzo Iaquinta took but was saved by Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, the current Italy number one.

TV replays showed it was a clear dive by the Serbian, and the Federal prosecutor for the Italian Football Federation has asked to review the video evidence.

A decision will be made on Tuesday with Krasic facing a potential two-game ban for cheating.

A similar ban was administered to Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino last season after he scored a goal with his arm.

Even in Italy, a country where contact, even the slightest brush, is considered a foul and cases of clear simulation are ignored, Krasic has been widely condemned for what was an indisputable dive.

But Blanc says that any sanction against the player should take into account his character.

“Every player has his reputation and Milos’s is one of a player who is clean and respects the rules,” he said Monday.

“Whoever judges yesterday’s case should take that into consideration.”