Football: Juve register controversial win

MILAN: Controversy with more betting implications returned to Italy’s top flight as Juventus extended their lead and nine-man Lazio dropped to fourth after a bad-tempered away defeat to Fiorentina. Arturo Vidal’s 57th-minute winner against Catania helped Juve extend their lead at the top of Serie A and took their unbeaten streak to 48 matches. The Turin giants’ eighth win in nine games came amid huge controversy as Argentine striker Ruben Bergessio looked to have fairly beaten Juve keeper Buffon but Catania’s celebrations were cut short when the referee disallowed the opener after consulting with his assistant who said the striker was offside. “For me, that’s the end of football,” said Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti. “The referee and the linesman gave the goal, but after protests from the Juve bench they went back on their decision.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2012.