Rewritten Title: Comparing the 'Bastoni-Kalulu' incident with Ronaldo's dive - Mark Iuliano speaks out
Rewritten Teaser: Former Juventus defender Mark Iuliano reflects on the recent 'Bastoni-Kalulu' incident and compares it to his own infamous dive with Ronaldo in 1998.
The former Juventus defender discusses the 'Bastoni-Kalulu' case and compares it to the infamous incident of 1998 Mark Iuliano, a former Juventus defender, speaking to Stile TV, compares the infamous video-review incident in which I was involved alongside the Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo in the 1997–98 Juventus v Inter match with the one involving Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu and Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni in the most recent clash between the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri, Inter 3-2 Juve on 14 February: “My incident with Ronaldo is part of a different story. Perhaps this incident overshadows it because of Alessandro Bastoni’s reaction after the dive, which caused a great deal of outrage, because after deceiving the referee, he went on to celebrate, going against every principle of fair and honest sport.”Iuliano adds, as reported by TuttoJuve.com: "It had been a wonderful match and it was ruined. The linesmen have become useless if they can’t even have their say; the referee is subject to VAR, and we all expect VAR to be used on request and not to take over, and for the referee to review the incidents and make his own decisions. If the referee is appointed and paid, he must be the one to take responsibility and, if necessary, change his decisions, without four other people telling him what to do. In my day, we were ‘men’ enough not to think about diving.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
The Comparison of Incidents
Mark Iuliano, a former Juventus defender, draws parallels between the 'Bastoni-Kalulu' incident in the recent Juventus v Inter match and the controversial dive involving him and Ronaldo back in 1998. He criticizes Alessandro Bastoni's behavior post-dive, highlighting a lack of fair play and sportsmanship.
VAR and Referee's Role
Iuliano expresses his concerns about the impact of VAR on football and the role of referees. He emphasizes the need for referees to make independent decisions without heavy reliance on technology or outside influences. The former defender believes in upholding integrity and honesty in the sport, urging players to refrain from diving.
Fair Play in Modern Football
Reflecting on the evolution of the game, Iuliano discusses the importance of fair play and the consequences of unsportsmanlike conduct. He advocates for a return to traditional values where players show respect for the game and their opponents, emphasizing the need for integrity and honesty in every match.
