Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini slammed what he described as a “disastrous” refereeing performance and argued with a television presenter following his team’s 3-0 loss to AC Milan on Sunday.
Mancini also confirmed he made a gesture with his finger to Milan fans who insulted him after he was sent to the stands for dissent during the game.
“I didn’t say anything offensive, but referees are like that nowadays, susceptible and with their own characteristics,” he said in a post-match interview.
“There should have been a red card for Milan in the first half for a foul by the last man. Perhaps the referees don’t know the rules. The referees were the worst ones on the field, they were a disaster.”
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Inter, who led the table before Christmas, have slumped to fourth place, nine points off the pace, after winning once in five Serie A outings since the New Year.
“The results have not been positive, it’s all gone wrong for us and we can’t do anything except work hard,” Mancini said.
He added that Mauro Icardi’s penalty miss for Inter, when Milan were 1-0 ahead, was the turning point.
“We were in it until the penalty, then with that miss and their second goal it was over. If you don’t score a chance like that at such a delicate moment, the team will lose confidence.”
Mancini had publicly criticised Icardi over a missed chance last week and became angry when he was asked if his comments had dented the Argentine player’s confidence.
The Inter coach used offensive language in reply to the question and again when he took off his headset at the end of the interview.
He has also confirmed making a gesture to the Milan supporters. “Yes, I did it, they should not have been there. That’s the end of the conversations,” he said.
In contrast, Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was understandably jubilant.
“Tonight has been the happiest moment of my coaching career,” he said. “We have always had confidence in our abilities and step by step that is starting to show.”
“Everybody deserves a night like this. The president, the club, the players and the fans. A convincing win like this is a result of everyone playing well, all areas of the team.”
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
