The president of the AIA Zappi has been referred and will go to trial. The accusation? Undue pressure to be able to appoint Orsato and Braschi. He defends himself, but the earthquake hits a movement already in difficulty
There is no peace for Italian referees and not only because of the weekly controversies caused by decisions on the pitch and in the VAR room. The perfect storm has erupted, after weeks of worrying signs, at the top of the AIA (Italian Referees Association): the president Antonio Zappi he will go to trial with a serious accusation which risks influencing his mandate and the functioning of the entire movement.
The Football Federation’s prosecutor’s office notified the number one referee and one of his close collaborators of the referral, contesting the alleged pressure exerted in the spring on the heads of the Serie C and Serie D technical bodies, with the aim of favoring the subsequent appointment of Daniele Orsato and Stefano Braschi.
A story that emerged in recent weeks, with accusations always rejected by Zappi. The president of the AIA also attempted a plea bargain, without any admission of responsibility, in an attempt to avoid a trial that greatly embarrasses the Italian arbitration movement. The plea bargain proposal was, however, firmly rejected by the FIGC prosecutor because it was considered incongruous: hence the trial before the TFN (National Federal Court).
Zappi continues to reiterate “his total extraneousness” claiming “the full legitimacy of his actions”. The story is that of the resignation of Maurizio Ciampi And Alessandro Pizziaccording to the accusation forced improperly to clear the way for the two substitutes.
It is clear that a president on trial and awaiting trial is a problem for the world of referees. What will happen if liability is recognized? The risk of blowing up the Hague summits is real, but the waiting phase of the trial will also be a moment of strong tension.
“There will be a judge in Berlin” is the summary with which Zappi commented on the news of the referral after the rejection of the plea bargain proposal. The number one arbitrator asked that all the documents of the investigation be made public, trying to unite the category: “The AIA will continue to act with rigor and determination, claiming its institutional dignity at every location and protecting the solidity of the association, continuing to carry out its role with independence and responsibility” reads the statement made public together with the news of the trial.
