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Zampa slams ‘ridiculous’ Palermo

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini was furious at his side’s draw at Treviso and singled out their Italy internationals for particular criticism. "They were ridiculous," he blasted.

The Rosanero were widely expected to take all three points from their away game against Serie A’s third-bottom club on Sunday, but in truth they were lucky not to go home pointless after their 2-2 draw against the Veneto outfit.

Treviso went 2-0 up after just six minutes to give Alberto Cavasin a seemingly perfect start to his tenure at his hometown club, but although the Sicilians fought back to earn a share of the spoils, they didn’t escape the ire of Zamparini.

"That was our worst game of the year," he stormed. "Our international players were ridiculous. I hope that Marcello Lippi doesn’t call them up again."

The outspoken Palermo chief was referring to Fabio Grosso, Cristian Zaccardo and Andrea Barzagli, who all played for Italy in their recent friendly matches against Holland and the Ivory Coast.

It seems that the Rosanero’s three Azzurri stars have suffered from the numerous trips between Amsterdam, Coverciano, Geneva, Palermo and Treviso, but Zampa has given short shrift to any such concerns.

"If things don’t change by Christmas, I will take the necessary measures," he continued.

"Footballers earn a lot of money but they don’t have much soul. I have no intention of going back to Sicily, but if I were I would give them all a kick up the backside."