Was wrong twice!!    Yikes!!!  Italy Media and Fans LIVID!!!!

With Mexico beating Equador 2-1, yesterday, Italy needs a Victory (A Tie, is 
not sufficient), to SALVAGE a berth in the Second Round, against Mexico on 
Thursday.

France, Argentina, and Portugal, also Pre Cup Favorites, are also in jeopardy,
having lost opening games.

Meanwhile, the United States still continues to suprise, first by beating 
Portugal 3-2, then today, tying host country South Korea 1-1.  
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LINESMAN ADMITS MISTAKES, REPORT SAYS
 
Los Angeles Times     
Compiled by Jim Barrero 
June 10, 2002

The Danish linesman who disallowed two Italian goals during the Group G game 
against Croatia that led to a disputed 2-1 defeat for Italy, reportedly is 
"very saddened" for having disallowed the goals.

Jens Larsen admitted that striker Christian Vieri was not offsides when he 
headed the ball into the Croatian goal, according to the World Cup 
correspondent with Denmark's public radio DR. Larsen also has said that he 
was wrong when he later signaled a foul by an Italian forward seconds before 
Italy scored again, the radio reported. That goal too was disallowed.

"Both players and referees make mistakes, all human beings make mistakes," an 
unidentified FIFA spokesman was quoted as saying by the DR radio that didn't 
name the world soccer body official. "The Danish linesman Jens Larsen is very 
saddened," the radio report quoted the FIFA official as saying. 

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LOSS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT FOR MEDIA AND FANS

Los Angeles Times      
By Compiled by Jim Barrero
June 10, 2002 

Meanwhile, Italian newspapers pounced on the opportunity to lament the loss, 
especially the way it happened.

In the Corriere dello Sport, it's Sunday headline read: "What a robbery!"

The daily Il Giorno expressed what many Italians felt the outcome should have 
been: "Italy, Croatia: 3-2." In an opinion piece in the Milan daily Corriere 
della Sera, former World Cup star Paolo Rossi wondered how referees of World 
Cup caliber could call back two valid goals.

Some Italians even said soccer officials should protest the outcome to FIFA.

"Of course we should contest the refereeing, especially since Mexico's win 
[2-1 over Ecuador]. They called back two valid goals. Not one, but two!" said 
Ettore Franchi, a restaurant worker in Rome. 
 

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I AM NOT AN IMBECILE, I AM SIMPLY VERY ANGRY, 
SAYS ITALIAN SOCCER COACH TRAPATTONI

Italy-News
June 10, 2002

Giovanni Trapattoni, after the Azzurri's stinging defeat tried to explain and 
clarify his position reportedly saying, "Don't you think I have considered 
all possible solutions in deciding what team to send in the field against 
Croatia?" 

In answer to a reporter's question, he said, "Were there really 22 million 
people in front of the TV to watch the second half of the match against 
Croatia? Good, so everybody saw what happened," continued the Trap. 

In the meantime, Jens Larsen, the Danish referee that hurt the Azzurri by 
disallowing two goals in the Italy-Croatia match was said to be very sorry 
for the mistake he may have made about calling Vieri's goal offsides. 

The only good news for the Italians is that there are no fractured bones for 
the injured Alessandro Nesta.