Luciano Moggi, a name inextricably linked with one of Italian football`s most tumultuous chapters, Calciopoli, has once again stepped into the public discourse. Speaking to Italy`s esteemed Gazzetta, the former Juventus general manager delivered a torrent of reflections, pointed accusations, and contemporary footballing insights, reigniting debates that many observers might have hoped had long been consigned to history.
The Unrepentant Architect: «I Didn`t Kill Anyone»
Ever the defiant figure, Moggi dismissed any notion of seeking clemency. «Grace is asked by someone who received a life sentence,» he declared, his words echoing a long-held conviction that he has paid his dues for actions he maintains were never criminal in intent. «I paid, I`m paying, but I didn`t kill anyone, and people know it.» This staunch refusal to back down remains a hallmark of his public persona, suggesting a man convinced of his ultimate vindication, despite the official judgments and lasting stain on his career. It`s a classic Moggi manoeuvre: acknowledging the penalty, but vehemently rejecting the gravitas of the crime.
Reigniting Old Flames: Accusations Against Franco Carraro and AC Milan
Central to Moggi`s latest narrative are sharp accusations leveled against Franco Carraro, the former FIGC president who also notably served as a past president of AC Milan. Moggi vehemently denied Carraro`s claim that the referee designators, Bergamo and Pairetto, approached Moggi for support after learning of Carraro`s intention to replace them with Pierluigi Collina. «A complete hoax,» Moggi asserted with characteristic bluntness. Instead, he spun a counter-narrative, suggesting that Carraro, amidst the intense 2004 Scudetto battle between Juventus and Milan, allegedly sought to favor his former club.
Moggi recounted a supposed phone call from Carraro to Bergamo, instructing him to ensure a particular referee, Rodomonti, would «not help Juventus» in an upcoming match against Inter. The implicit goal, according to Moggi, was to benefit Milan should Juventus falter. The irony, as Moggi subtly implies, is Carraro`s perceived hypocrisy, having reportedly admitted in the past to influencing results to save certain teams from relegation, only to now point fingers at others for similar, or lesser, alleged infractions. It`s a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, according to Moggi`s version of events.
The «Closed Door» for Ibrahimovic: A Smoking Gun?
Moggi further delved into an incident preceding the pivotal Milan-Juventus match on May 8, 2005. Juventus had appealed a three-match ban for their star striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, requesting video evidence to overturn the decision. Moggi claims that shortly after their appeal, a telephone conversation transpired between Milan`s referee liaison, Leonardo Meani, and designator Bergamo. In this call, Bergamo allegedly stated, «Griselli is from Livorno like me, Juve will find a closed door…» — a remark Moggi interprets as direct evidence of Milan`s efforts to obstruct Juventus and influence decisions against them. For Moggi, this isn`t just a casual remark; it`s another piece of the puzzle illustrating a concerted effort to undermine Juventus`s on-field success.
The Weight of Success: Juventus as a Target
Beyond specific incidents, Moggi painted a broader, almost conspiratorial, picture of Juventus as a victim of its own formidable success. «We had become cumbersome,» he reflected, detailing how the club`s dominance on the field and increasing dividends for shareholders had made them a significant, perhaps inconvenient, force. He then linked this rise to a poignant moment: the death of Umberto Agnelli. Moggi recalled an instance, after signing Fabio Capello, where he suggested calling Umberto, only to be reminded he was «no longer there.» This moment, combined with a subsequent, cryptic comment from then-CEO Antonio Giraudo — «For us, it`s over…» — left Moggi with a chilling premonition, the full meaning of which, he claims, only became clear two years later with the Calciopoli scandal. It`s a narrative of a powerful entity being systematically brought down by external forces, perhaps out of envy or fear of its growing influence, once a key protector was gone.
From Courtrooms to Coaching: Moggi`s Enduring Football Philosophy
Shifting gears from historical grievances, Moggi also offered his seasoned insights into the current state of Italian football and Juventus. He spoke highly of Igor Tudor, praising him as a «leader» who «made his way despite not having natural talent.» Moggi then offered strategic advice for Tudor, emphasizing the critical role of Dusan Vlahovic: «His fortunes pass through Vlahovic, but Vlahovic must be sent onto the field from the bench.» This, Moggi believes, would allow Vlahovic to truly demonstrate his superiority over other attackers and ensure Juventus secures a top-four finish. Moggi`s take on team construction also revealed his pragmatic, perhaps old-school, approach, advocating for «an extra midfielder, and maybe a defender, and with fewer offensive players» – a philosophy that often contrasts with the prevalent attacking-minded trends in modern football. Even after all these years, his tactical acumen remains sharp, or at least, vociferously expressed.
A Lasting Legacy of Loyalty
The interview concluded on a note that Moggi clearly cherishes: the enduring loyalty and respect of his former players. He proudly shared an anecdote about Igor Tudor, who, in his hometown of Split, reportedly named his boat «Moggi.» «My boys all loved me. And they still do,» Moggi affirmed, a final, poignant assertion of his self-perceived legacy, seemingly untouched by the scandals that rocked the football world. It’s a powerful statement of personal vindication, even if the public record tells a different story.
This comprehensive set of statements from Luciano Moggi offers a fascinating, if predictably self-serving, glimpse into his interpretation of Italian football history and its ongoing narratives. For many, his words reopen old wounds; for others, they serve as a potent reminder of a figure who remains stubbornly unyielding in his version of events, consistently challenging the accepted truths of Calciopoli.