MILAN - As he left the Lega Calcio offices in Milan, Nerazzurri chief executive Marco Fassone answered some questions from journalists about recent events, starting with Sunday's match against Roma: "I think the president gave a good assessment yesterday. Certainly we're a team that is growing and learning, with lots of new players and changes. But I think we played well all the same. We're sorry we lost to Roma, because you're always sorry when you lose, but it can happen."
Fassone was also asked to comment on the Christian Vieri case and the statements made by his lawyer: "Regardless of what his lawyer has said, we are of course somewhat surprised by the ruling and we're going to lodge an appeal confident that we're in the right."
Fassone doesn't feel the club risks being summoned to a court of sporting justice: "We don't think that is going to happen, but while on one side the ruling has been made public and we can analyse it knowing the facts, on the other side we can't do that yet, because all we have are the respectable statements made by his lawyer. If they also lead to something, then we'll discuss it and verify it. The ruling has surprised us in a way so we will be appealing against it."
As for the partnership with Chinese backers that will see the transfer of share ownership, the chief executive explained: "As you know, it is not a negotiation; the contract with the Chinese was signed at the start of August. We're now going through the technical procedures and the transfer of share ownership is expected to be finalised according to schedule."
A brief comment on Cassano: "He's settled into the group well, in his own way, with his own character. Off the field he's settled in very well indeed."
