Reaction: Empoli spark Catania row

Empoli have blamed Roma for their relegation, while Catania celebrate by extending Walter Zenga’s contract.

The final round was a dramatic one at the foot of the table, as Empoli’s 2-1 victory over Livorno would have saved them had Catania lost to Roma.

That situation was in place until five minutes from time, when Jorge Martinez bundled the ball over the line in Sicily.

"Catania’s goal was a farce," slammed Empoli President Fabrizio Corsi. "It went the way everyone expected it to – Catania equalised as soon as Inter sealed up the result in Parma and therefore the title."


With Inter leading 2-0 at Parma, Roma knew they had no chance of winning the Scudetto, and their heads dropped, allowing the Sicilians back into the game.

Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti hit back with a similar accusation.

"President Corsi is accustomed to farce. Last year at Empoli there was a 3-3 with Reggina that was simply ludicrous."

The Sicilians save themselves at the last round yet again and look to the future.

"I want to compliment Zenga for how he dealt with the last very tense week. I saw he worked well, especially on a psychological level, and the results were clear. I said our rapport would continue if we stayed in Serie A and so he will stay.

"I do think Juan Manuel Vargas has played his last game for us, though. I hope he’ll stay in Italy, because he can still improve a great deal in Serie A. I can confirm there are negotiations with Fiorentina and Real Madrid."

Empoli bow out of the top flight and part company with coach Gigi Cagni.

"This is the result on the field and we must accept it. We knew we had to hope for other scores to come in and it didn’t happen. It’s a shame to leave Empoli like this," said the veteran who last year had taken them to the UEFA Cup.

"It was great to see the fans applaud our coach at the final whistle. These are not things you see often enough, but we are not surprised," added President Corsi.

"We tried to get Cagni back for a sudden turnaround and very nearly managed it. I can confirm our coach next season will be Silvio Baldini."

Source: C4 Football Italia