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Juventus take hard line over fair play
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-06 09:07

Juventus coach Fabio Capello said his team will no longer kick the ball out of play when they have possession if an opponent is lying on the floor.

Capello, whose side currently lead Serie A, believes too many players are abusing the unwritten law of fair play to try and gain an advantage.


Roma boss Fabio Capello. [AFP/file]
"From tomorrow (Sunday), in the game against Lazio, my players will not kick the ball out of play if an opponent is lying on the ground," he said.

"And don't accuse us of being unsporting. The rule has been exploited - it has turned into a tactical move with players acting.

"We spoke about it with the directors and the decision was made, not just out of one episode, but from a general view."

Roma coach Luigi Del Neri backed Capello's stance.

"I agree with Capello," he said.

"We should be able to determine whether an injury is serious or not. If it's not, I don't see why we should have to kick the ball out.

"I'm all for stopping play when a player has a head injury. In England, matches are not interrupted as often and I think that's the right way.

"There's no need to stop all the time, only in those cases when somebody is seriously hurt."

Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin also lent Capello his support.

"Weve had enough of this false fair play," he said. "It's up to the referees to halt play when the situation requires it.

"Of course, everything would be a lot simpler if players just agreed not to trick each other."

Bologna coach Carlo Mazzone praised Capello for bringing the argument out into the open.

He said: "Well done Capello! I've always said the same thing off the record. It's becoming a tactic, a strategy. From now on, we won't be kicking the ball out of play."

In recent seasons, teams have kicked the ball out of play when a player from the opposing side has gone down injured so that he can receive treatment.

But the unwritten law has been abused by some, who feign injury to try and stop the other team's attack.



 
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