Aldo Spinelli has offered a public defence of under-fire captain Cristiano Lucarelli.
Livorno president Aldo Spinelli has offered a public defence of under-fire captain Cristiano Lucarelli.
Lucarelli announced his intention to leave Livorno in the summer after home supporters booed the team's performance in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Reggina.
Spinelli claims Lucarelli has been offended by the reaction of supporters and Livorno's supremo was disappointed at the treatment meted out to a player whose loyalty he considers to be beyond reproach.
Spinelli told Radio Radio: "How is it possible to criticise a player like Lucarelli who has helped us to remain in Serie A for three consecutive seasons?
"I think he loves the jersey so much that the whistles have offended him. And I feel offended too.
"Lucarelli said we need to remain strong and I agree with him. We saw against Reggina a crowd who didn't understand and who didn't accept a draw against Reggina."
Lucarelli's goalscoring exploits - he has 21 to his name already - have made the 31-year-old hot property and Spinelli revealed the player could have left the club in January.
"We need to remember as well that Lucarelli stayed with us in January when he could have left to join either Palermo or Rangers," added Spinelli.
