Settebello, protest at the Olympics before the challenge with Spain: what happened

A defeat that is difficult to swallow, an exit in the quarter-finals that Seven Bello It hurt a lot. The defeat on penalties against Hungary, which was significantly influenced by the referees’ decision to cancel the goal that made it temporarily 3-3 for the Azzurri, to send off a player (Condemi) and to award a penalty (which was later scored) to the Magyars – had the appendix of appeal rejected first by World Aquatics and then by Tas.

But it was before the challenge against Spain – valid for the fifth to eighth place in the Olympic tournament and lost in the end 11-9 – that the sensational protest of the team coached by Sandro Campagna.

Blues turned with their backs

At the time of the anthems, the entire Italian team turned their backs to the referees. Immediately after the start of the match, coach Campagna called a time-out to allow Condemi – the Italian sent off against Hungary – to receive the applause of his teammates and the public.

Settebello eliminated by Hungary on penalties: but a refereeing scandal weighs on the defeat

from our correspondent Alessandra Retico

07 August 2024

Team stuck in water for 4′

The protest is then continued in water. The Azzurri deliberately played for four minutes with one man less, with one player systematically disinterested in the action, even giving up attacking. During those minutes, Spain took a 3-0 lead.

Campaign: “Message to improve sports”

“We left a message in the constructive interest of cleaning up and improving our sport. It happened to Italy but it can happen to anyone. We must respect the athletes and the sport, then mistakes, even those of the referee, are normal, but the one the other day goes beyond the error of the referee. Unacceptable at the Olympics” he said Sandro Campagna after the match. “We showed our attachment to our sport and to the values ​​of Olympism – he continued -. We didn’t have the energy to play this match because the boys haven’t slept for two days, including me. But I’m not going in the water”. Campagna then concluded: “The dynamics of the fact were so obvious that it couldn’t be questioned, since I don’t believe in the bad faith of the referees then there is something wrong with the VAR that didn’t bring clarity of image. And without this you can’t make a decision that can change the outcome of a quarter-final”.

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Malagò: “Protest not acceptable”

The protest of the Azzurri did not please the president of the CONI, John Malago: “This protest is not acceptable, just as some of the referee decisions against Hungary were certainly not,” Malagò said in a note. “I say this as a man of the institutions and as a member of the IOC. After that, as president of the Coni, I remember and add that the Coni, together with the Italian Swimming Federation, defended the Settebello in all levels of judgment up to the Tas, the highest international sports justice body. I am sorry for this reaction, which in any case remains contrary to the Olympic spirit.”