UAF Ethics and Fair Play Committee chairman Francesco Baranca told Tribuna.com how he feels about Minaya's proposal to fine referees 70 per cent of their fees for resultant errors.
- So you communicate with the clubs. Do they approach you or do you approach them?
- I address them. Because generally, when someone complains about a referee, it's my job to say, "Look, there's a certain way to complain about referees, you have to communicate". But I've never received any evidence of corruption or anything like that. They try to take advantage of it through others, but never any specific co-operation or suggestion. And a lie detector can't be a concrete offer.
- There was actually another offer from Minaya. Last week they offered to refund 70% of what referees should earn if they made a mistake that affected the match. What do you guys think about that?
- Let's do the same with the players: they make mistakes, well, let's penalise them. They are the same: both are human beings and they can make mistakes. Can you imagine coming to work and being told: OK, if you make a mistake, we'll take away 70 per cent of your salary. You'd be in a difficult psychological situation. And besides, who's going to assess who made the mistake? The clubs?