Cagliari president blames Juventus for relocation

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has slammed the decision to move the Serie A clash between his side and Juventus to the home of Parma.

The match was due to be played at the Is Arenas, but the stadium failed security checks, meaning the mayor of the Sardinian capital and the league’s governing body – Lega Calcio – were forced to intervene and rearrange the fixture so it could be played in the Emilia-Romagna region.

“I feel a deep sense of shame and embarrassment, having done everything possible to give this stadium to the team and to Sardinia,” the Rossoblu president told Sky Sport Italia.

“The local council authorised the game to go ahead, so if Juventus had agreed then we would have played in Cagliari.

“It is their right and they showed they are happier to play in Parma. We had to organise everything for this match in the space of 24 hours.

“We hope that justice exists in football. We thought it was a privilege not to be involved, with players or coaches, in any scandals and having balanced books despite no stars on our shirts.

“We are proud of our club. The Sardinians evidently have a defect, which is to respect the laws and not just do anything we want.”

Meanwhile, Cagliari coach Ivo Pulga lamented the fact that the club’s fans would not be treated to such a high-profile match and outlined his belief that only by attacking Juventus will his team stand a chance.

“It’s a shame for the fans who had the chance to see a great game taken from them. Their support would’ve been an extra boost for the team, but for us it’s like another away game,” he told Tuttosport.

“We can only get the better of Juventus by attacking them, without sitting back or being inert as they play around us. If you stay in your own half, there’s a really big chance of conceding a goal.”