Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, February 16, 2026, 07:42 / Updated Monday, February 16, 2026 07:43
Ignazio La Russa, the president of the Italian Senate, commented for Telelombardia on the controversial victory of Inter with Juventus (3-2), in particular the elimination of Juventus Kalulu, at the score of 1-1.
Pierre Kalulu saw a second “yellow” in the 42nd minute of the Inter – Juve derby (3-2), with the score 1-1, for a light push by Alessandro Bastoni, but accentuated by the simulation of the Inter player.
Cristi Chivu defended Bastoni, “the touch is light, but my player feels the hand“, choosing himself with numerous critics due to the lack of fair play. Instead, the second man in the Italian state, Ignazio La Russa, jumped to the defense of the Romanian technician.
Ignazio La Russa: “Don't criticize Cristi Chivu, he behaved with great dignity”
“What should he have done, according to the critics? Should he have blamed his own player? Have you ever seen a coach slap his own players? He elegantly admitted it was a light touch, but the touch was there. It means the referee was wrong to send him off. But do not criticize Chivu, who, as always, behaved with great dignity; he did not deny that there was a touch.
We do not need these favours, but there was no pretence, and Bastoni behaved better than those who, when struck in the belly, put their hands in front of them. He only exaggerated the fall. It's normal that he celebrated, I don't see anything wrong with that. I agree to the removal. The referee's mistake, but what a whine. If we cried, we would be in a valley of tears“, commented the president of the Italian Senate, a big Inter supporter.
Ignazio La Russa: “We are not the new Juve. Juventus stole better”
Asked what it was like to be the “new Juventus”, a reference to the handouts Juve received in the past, La Russa said the “Old Lady” stole a lot more.
“We are not a new Juve. Juventus had a direct relationship with many referees. I am good friends with Moggi, Juve stole better. Let's not make comparisons between today's Inter and yesterday's Juve“, the head of the Senate pointed out.
