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Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini has launched a sensational attack on FIFA President Joseph Blatter.

The defender has taken issue with Blatter’s comportment after the Azzurri beat France on penalties to win the World Cup this summer.

Blatter opted to not be a part of the award ceremony when the side was handed the trophy, a snub which Maldini finds hard to digest.

“The way FIFA treated us in Berlin was scandalous,� the former Azzurri captain said in an interview to magazine Panorama.

“Blatter refused to hand over the trophy to us and this is a scandal that our Federation did not react to,� he added.

“I had never seen anything like this and what is worse, Blatter keeps expressing very harsh comments on Italian football

“Now I understand why we never won as much as we deserved in the past.

“I think I know why everyone shows so little consideration for Italy, it’s mainly a political issue, but I think the FIGC must now behave like a Federation of world champions and make themselves heard.�

The veteran added that he may consider becoming some kind of football ambassador once he quits the game, even if he’s unsure of what his future holds.

�I have thought about this, but I don’t know what I will do,� he added before also criticising another important figure in the game.

“Let’s take Michel Platini’s example, he was always considered a very outspoken person, but now his statements always depend on what people think about him. I don’t really like what he says.�

Maldini was also asked for an opinion on former Milan boss Fabio Capello who was blasted by Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero last week.

“I fought with Capello in the past and that is no secret,� he added. “Discussions with him are always very heated, but one of his qualities is that he forgets the past very quickly.

“However, I must admit that I believe Barcelona are stronger than his Real Madrid side this season.�


Football Italia