Napoli, Higuain to pay dearly for moment of madness
Print Edition
GONZALO Higuain’s impressive scoring streak in Italy is expected to be halted by an imminent ban that could end Napoli’s bid for a long-awaited Serie A title.
Higuain hit his 30th league goal of the campaign on Sunday to pull to within five goals of retired AC Milan striker Gunnar Nordahl’s all-time record of 35 goals in a single, 20-team Serie A season.
But the striker lost the plot after being issued a red card late in Napoli’s 1-3 defeat to Udinese which left it six points adrift of leader and champion Juventus.
Higuain shoved match referee Massimiliano Irrati, then had to be restrained by fellow players as he angrily remonstrated with Udinese’s Felipe as he sat on the turf following a challenge.
According to media reports yesterday, Higuain now risks a ‘minimum’ three-match ban.
Former referee and referee’s chief Paolo Casarin said Higuain’s shove “can’t be ignored” and although he said everything “will depend on Irrati’s match report”, the Argentina striker is expected to pay dearly.
“I think Higuain quickly realized the gravity of the situation,” Casarin told Radio Rai.
“An eight-game ban seems exaggerated to me, but players have to stop approaching referees in this manner.
“Players have to stop playing at acrobats when they’re fouled... but Higuain’s shove can’t be ignored.”
Serie A officials will deliver the verdict in the coming days and, if confirmed, it could end Napoli’s hopes of a first league title since Diego Maradona played his penultimate season at the club in 1990.
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