No Big Deal

Juve’s entire Board of Directors are the latest to resign amidst the “Moggi-gate” scandal. Suits from the Agnelli camp were quick to diffuse any concern, however, emphasizing that the Old Lady had never demanded any particular or favorable league referees. They cited excerpts from the intercepted phone calls roughly translated as follows:

Luciano Moggi: Listen, Pairetto, we need a good one this weekend. Maybe a penalty too? You can never
underestimate Lecce. How’s the wife’s FIAT driving? Good car, eh?

Pierluigi Pairetto: Moron! I told you never to call me on this line. Car’s good, I mean what else can I say, the
car is good. Thanks.

Thus, the Agnelli group, along with Juve’s chairman, Antonio Giraudo, insisted that the allegations were clearly taken out of context: “To supply the newspapers a distorted and partial picture of what emerged from the documents of the prosecution constitutes the umpteenth attempt to discredit … the legitimate pride of Juventus for the victories achieved on the field.” It remains unclear whether Giraudo later conceded that, yes, in fact, referees are also included “on the field” upon which so many, many, many, many, many Juve victories are purch…I mean won. Seriously, though, there is no disputing the quality ride of a FIAT.