Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso has blasted West Ham and their players for the treatment of his team: “they are all animals for how they treated our footballers.” La Viola lost the Conference League final 2-1 to the Hammers, but the match was mired by a number of violent incidents, including striker Luka Jovic having his nose broken and Cristiano Biraghi suffering a cut to his head when he was struck by a projectile. Speaking to reporters after the game, Commisso shared his frustration at the result, and the treatment of his players:
“What should I say? I expected a victory.
“But there were cases where the referee should have done better. Jovic broke his nose, then Biraghi.
“I spoke to the Premier League president, telling him they are all animals for how they treated our footballers.
‘The defeat is not fair. We could have won 3-0, I am sorry for the fans who deserved more.”
Fiorentina have since released a statement of their own, condemning the behaviour of their opponents:
“Fiorentina strongly condemn what happened to their captain, Cristiano Biraghi, during the Conference League final between Fiorentina and West Ham last night.
Biraghi was hit on the head by an object thrown from the stand housing West Ham fans in the 33rd minute of the first half while he was about to take a corner kick.
This unacceptable behaviour obviously affected the performance of the footballer and his team-mates, who had their attention drawn away from footballing matters by the threats to their own safety.
The Viola captain, despite suffering a deep wound to his head requiring eight stitches, continued to play on. Biraghi displayed the values of fairness, integrity and sportsmanship which should be the benchmark for all football and that Fiorentina seek to champion with all of their power.
The club is certain that UEFA will thoroughly evaluate the incident and duly punish those responsible for this act, delivering an appropriate response and setting an example so that such situations never occur again.”
