Gilardino: Scored with his arm
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has called for Alberto Gilardino to be handed a lengthy suspension.
The Fiorentina striker was on target for La Viola on Sunday in a 3-1 victory at Renzo Barbera.
However, the Italy international bundled the ball home with his arm as he opened the scoring in a fourth consecutive victory for the Serie A high-fliers.
Zamparini, who was understandably disappointed by the result, now wants to see the former AC Milan forward punished for his unsporting behaviour.
Shameful
“It’s shameful, we’re going to ask the authorities to intervene with TV evidence. Gilardino deserves a five-game ban. He even celebrated. Incredible,” fumed the Palermo chief.
“Palermo played very well, but we were robbed. And the referee and linesmen were only too happy to do so.
“Two years ago (Adrian) Mutu also scored with one of our players on the ground. And Fiorentina were the team that promised fair play. Well I never.”
Accident
Gilardino unsurprisingly sees the incident slightly differently to Zamparini, believing he was chopped down at the vital moment.
He admits the ball struck his forearm on its way over the line, but insists the infringement was not intentional.
“It was involuntary, in the fall I received a blow from a knee for which there should have been a penalty,” said Gilardino.
“The ball hit me on the arm completely by accident. The action happened so quickly that I didn’t realise and that’s why I celebrated.
“Looking back at the images now, I admit that it was a handball.”
Investigation
Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation (Figc) have confirmed that they will investigate the controversial goal.
Figc have asked sporting justice authorities to look at television coverage of the incident, prior to a statement detailing any disciplinary action being released.
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