sport

Cellino unhappy with FIGC

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino was left furious after a 3-0 walkover defeat to Roma was upheld by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Tuesday.

The Serie A fixture, scheduled for September 23, was cancelled just hours before kick-off after Cellino urged fans to attend the Stadio Is Arenas despite local authorities having ordered the game to be played behind closed doors due to failed security checks.

Roma, who had travelled to Sardinia, were awarded a 3-0 victory without kicking a ball and Cellino's appeal against the punishment has now been rejected by the FIGC.

He told cagliaricalcio.net: "A large part of my love for sport died today.

"Sportsmanship has nothing to do with this decision, it's like something from a horror film.

"This a terrible blow to sport and a big slap in the face for me.

"Roma didn't want to play the game and that's just not sporting. It's like diving for a penalty or scoring with your hand and not admitting it."

Giallorossi director Claudio Fenucci gave Cellino's accusations short shrift, adding: "We went to Cagliari to play."

Cagliari have since announced their decision to appeal to the National Arbitration Tribunal for Sport.

Update:

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