Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has defended Alessandro Bastoni and hit back at critics in the wake of the controversy surrounding Inter–Juventus. Speaking at a Lega Serie A press conference, he addressed the debate over simulation, refereeing decisions and the treatment of Inter in the media.
Marotta’s remarks, picked up on camera and quickly circulated, offered a firm defence of Bastoni, a pointed dismissal of writer Roberto Saviano, a reminder of Juan Cuadrado’s alleged dive in 2021 and a cool assessment of Giorgio Chiellini’s new role as a Juventus director.
“Saviano? I Don’t Even Know Who He Is”
Marotta was first asked about writer Roberto Saviano’s comments on the recent events.
“Saviano? I don’t even know who he is, I don’t know what role he has, I don’t even want to give him importance. Everything is in the hands of our lawyers, for sure.”
With that, he made it clear he did not intend to fuel the public row further, preferring to leave any developments to the legal sphere.
“Bastoni Has Been Subjected to a Media Lynching”
The Inter president then moved on to Bastoni and the accusations aimed at the defender for his behaviour in Inter–Juve.
“Our position is very simple. There has been a completely excessive media stance. Bastoni has been the subject of a media lynching that goes beyond what actually happened. Bastoni has never been involved in sensational incidents, he is an asset of the national team. They even questioned his call-up, and that is really unfair.”
Marotta insisted that, while the player was not blameless, the reaction has gone too far.
“Of course he made a mistake, but who has never made mistakes? There have been players who became famous for simulations. It is a deplorable act, but an ordinary one, not an extraordinary one. The referee’s decision was wrong and I acknowledge that.”
He then recalled past episodes in which, according to him, Inter were penalised but chose not to escalate the situation.
“I remember that Inter lost the Scudetto by one point and, afterwards, a huge error against Inter in Inter–Roma was recognised, a penalty that would have decided the league. Yet we accepted the decisions. We only intervened after Napoli–Inter, for a penalty that directed the match. And that penalty was later declared incorrect by the same refereeing bodies.”
For Marotta, the refereeing issue is not just an Italian problem.
“What happens in Italy also happens abroad. Today we have to confront each other. We need to intervene by toughening sanctions for everyone, including directors and coaches, also in financial terms. Bastoni made a gesture that was not appropriate, but he must be justified. Repression is not part of my background.”
“Juventus in Champions Thanks to Cuadrado’s Simulation”
Marotta then reopened an old wound from Juventus–Inter in 2021 when discussing simulation more broadly.
“Chaos only when it concerns Inter? The answer is that Inter have been the most successful in recent years. I will just recall a small episode regarding simulations. Juventus–Inter 2021, a clear simulation by Cuadrado, referee Calvarese. It was made clear by all refereeing bodies that it was a clear simulation. With that win, Juve got qualification for the Champions League and something like 60–70 million. That’s it.”
“Chiellini Is a Young and Inexperienced Director”
Finally, Marotta was asked about what happened in the dressing rooms and his interaction with Giorgio Chiellini after the match.
“Very often I notice a certain ignorance in knowing the regulatory aspects which instead should be known by everyone, including players. As a man, there is some disappointment. What happened in the dressing rooms? Saying hello to Chiellini is the least one can do, he is a young and inexperienced director, I would never presume to give him advice. We spoke. These are dynamics that happen in dressing rooms.”
He downplayed the scale of the episode, framing it as part of normal post-match tensions, before tying the media attention back to Inter’s recent success.
“Greater media clamour than in other cases? It is normal, Inter are the team that have collected the most trophies and points.”
