Milan don't want Inter banned
by Mark Buckingham - created on 13 Apr 2005
Milan director Umberto Gandini admits he does not want city rivals Internazionale banned from European competition.
Inter fans brought shame on football on Tuesday evening when they forced the abandonment of the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg with Milan.
The Rossoneri were leading 1-0 on the night, and 3-0 on aggregate, when Inter supporters started throwing flares onto the pitch after Esteban Cambiasso had a goal disallowed.
The match briefly restarted before referee Markus Merk deemed it was not safe for the players to stay on the pitch.
Milan keeper Dida was struck on the shoulder by a flare, with Uefa's disciplinary commission due to meet on Friday to discuss Inter's fate.
But, while accepting Inter need to be punished, Gandini does not wish to see his club's fierce adversaries thrown out of European competition.
"Absolutely not," replied Gandini to Sky Sports News when asked if he wanted to see Inter banned.
"It is too bad what happened, too bad for Milan as a city, not only for Inter fans but Milan football fans in general, and Italian football in general.
"It was a very ugly night for football.
"I think I would not be happy at all with whatever result will come as it will be difficult to clean the image of the Milan stadium and the Milan supporters as a city in general terms.
"I think there is a penalty to be deserved. Inter people know they deserve a penalty and I think they will be obliged to play behind closed doors for a few matches."
Gandini also reported that Brazilian shot-stopper Dida was not seriously injured by the flare thrown from the crowd.
He added: "He went under exams last night after the match. He just had a bruised shoulder and it would be a day-to-day question of pain. There is no major injury at all."
The Milan director also admitted he was surprised at the level of violence at
San Siro as such disgraceful scenes have not tarnished previous derbies between the teams.
"It was honestly unexpected and especially because the history of the matches between the two city rivals has been excellent from the crowd perspective," continued Gandini.
"There have been no major incidents. There is a very strong friendship between the supporters, they go to the stadium and leave the stadium together.
"Last night something must have been planned to damage Inter. It is something too big to have erupted just in a moment of foolishness."