Inter Milan's Sporting Director Becomes a Prisoner! He Will Be the Only Whistleblower!
Even though eight years have passed, Chivu still vividly remembers the night of the 2016-2017 UEFA Champions League final, when the Cardiff Millennium Stadium was illuminated by dazzling lights, as if it were daytime.
Ranocchia's eyes were resolute. He had discussed this moment many times with Chivu afterward—after receiving Tang Long's header, he had only one thought in his mind: to score!
The moment the goal was scored, the entire stadium erupted!
The audience cheered and shouted wildly, the huge sound wave seemed to lift the roof off the stadium.
Chivu stood on the sidelines, the grass beneath his feet trembling violently with the frenzied jumping of the spectators. The shock traveled from his feet to his heart, as if it were an unprecedented earthquake.
No wonder that after the match, the Cardiff Seismological Service posted a slightly sarcastic status on social media:
"A China man and an Italy man caused a 3.1 magnitude earthquake in UK, fortunately without any casualties."
Eight years ago, Chivu, standing on the sidelines of the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, felt an uncontrollable wave of dizziness.
His legs began to shake uncontrollably, a rush of blood to his throat, and due to excessive excitement, he found it extremely difficult to breathe, with a feeling of tightness spreading throughout his body.
He instinctively reached out to grab something to maintain his balance, only to find that Guardiola was also holding him tightly.
The two men locked eyes, Chivu saw Guardiola's bloodshot eyes, wide open like saucers, filled with excitement and agitation.
The two supported each other, and at this moment, they were comrades-in-arms fighting side by side, experiencing this exciting moment together.
Eight years later, Chivu could no longer remember the conversation between the two of them.
All I remember is that after Tang Long assisted Ranocchia to score the goal at 93 minutes and 20 seconds, the game ended very quickly.
In the 2016-2017 UEFA Champions League final, Manchester City faced Real Madrid. After 90 minutes, the two teams were tied 2-2, and the game went into extra time!
Even during the short break, the atmosphere on the field remained incredibly tense.
Everyone gathered around Ranocchia, looking at him with concern.
In that game-tying header, Ranocchia was only focused on the match; he wanted to put all his strength into the ball. At that moment, he was willing to risk his life. How could he have noticed the goalpost right in front of him?
He did head the ball in, but his forehead also slammed hard into the thick goalpost.
"Andre, how's your head? Can you keep going?" a member of the coaching staff asked anxiously.
"It's alright, professional players' foreheads are made of iron," Ranocchia joked with a forced smile. "I'm fine, you guys better check on the goalpost to see if it's broken." It was a joke, but no one laughed; everyone's faces were filled with worry.
Tang Long looked at Ranocchia's forehead. Even though it was wrapped in thick gauze, a red dot could still be vaguely seen. It was blood seeping from his forehead, which looked particularly glaring against the white gauze.
At this moment, Ranocchia's wife in the stands was already weeping with her face covered.
She held her two children tightly in her arms, witnessing her husband wounded like a soldier, especially in the head. How could she not be worried?
Tears streamed down her cheeks, her eyes filled with heartache and anxiety.
Guardiola is also in a very difficult position.
He has already used all three substitutions within 90 minutes. If Ranocchia is unable to participate in extra time due to injury, Manchester City will have to face a situation of playing 10 against 11 for a full 30 minutes, which is undoubtedly a huge challenge for the team.
But could Ranocchia hold on? His heart was filled with conflict and worry.
At this crucial moment, Tang Long stepped forward and decisively said, "Gracie, give Andre some hemostatic medication, and then change his bandage again before overtime begins."
Before Guardiola could answer, Ranocchia bravely stood up, looked at Tang Long with gratitude, patted his chest, and said resolutely, "Do as he says!" Despite feeling a little dizzy, he tried to steady his voice, demonstrating the resilience and responsibility of a professional player.
Tang Long knew that Ranocchia would not give up. If he forced him not to play at this time and the team lost in the end, he would never forgive himself. It was better to let him play.
The nearly 80,000 fans inside Cardiff Stadium were deafening, making it the loudest area in all of Wales.
Soon after, Ranocchia returned to the field, smiling as he told Tang Long, "I feel like my steps are lighter after hitting the goalpost with my head, so don't worry about me. If you get a cross, just head it in!"
Time flies, and eight years have passed in the blink of an eye...
Chivu's morning was over after he finished talking with Inter Milan captain Ranocchia.
He hastily ate a chicken sandwich in his office, then collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep, exhausted.
The digital watch started vibrating at 2:30 p. m.
Waaaaah--
[Today's to-do list, item six: Attend the court hearing as a witness to provide evidence in the bribery and embezzlement case of former Inter Milan sporting director Ausilio]
Chivu woke up groggily, gathered his thoughts, and splashed cold water on his face in the bathroom, trying to clear his head.
I happened to run into the current sporting director, Materazzi, in the restroom.
"You're going to testify in court this afternoon, aren't you?" Materazzi probed cautiously. "I think Ausilio has worked for us for 27 years. Even if he hasn't done anything outstanding, he has certainly put in a lot of hard work. You can't deny that, Christian." His tone carried a hint of hesitation and persuasion.
Chivu remained noncommittal, wiped the water from his face, and turned to leave.
Materazzi watched Chivu's retreating figure in the mirror and sighed inwardly, "After all these years, he's still so stubborn."
At 3 PM, the Milan Intermediate Court.
This majestic building stands in the city, symbolizing the fairness and authority of the law.
Accompanied by staff, Chivu entered the courtroom.
As soon as he entered, he saw Ausilio.
He stood inside a fence, surrounded by two tall bailiffs. His already short stature made him appear even smaller and more helpless.
Upon seeing Chivu, Ausilio's eyes lit up, and he instinctively smiled at him, a smile that seemed to carry a hint of expectation and pleading.
Chivu didn't look at him, but simply nodded to the judge on the platform.
The judge solemnly read aloud, "The suspect, Ausilio, joined Italy Inter Milan in 1998 as head of the youth academy. He became Inter Milan's sporting director in February 2014. Prior to that, the suspect worked for Pescia for one year. Is the witness aware of these details?"
Chivu nodded. "I understand."
The judge said, "Alright, now it's time for the witnesses to give their testimonies."
Chivu produced his prepared statement, and the entire jury turned to look at him.
He took a deep breath and said, "My name is Critistan Chivu, Romania, 44 years old, and I currently serve as the head coach of the first team at Inter Milan Football Club in Italy."
At this point, Chivu paused, then looked up at Ausilio for the first time, staring at him for a full five seconds, as if trying to convey all the dissatisfaction and anger he had harbored over the years through his eyes.
"I am making a formal complaint that Ausilio engaged in extensive embezzlement and bribery during his 11 years as Inter Milan's sporting director."
"For example, ten years ago, he and then- Inter Milan youth team coach Laino controlled the selection criteria for the youth team for a long time."
"Children who want to be selected must pay Laino an additional tuition fee, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 euros per person, Laino will split equally with Ausilio."
"I don't know the exact number, but according to my rough estimate, Inter Milan's youth team has about 15 players changing players every year."
"In addition, as the youth team coach, Laino also has the right to advise on the selection of the U15 and U17 teams."
"I'm not familiar with this aspect, because when I worked with Laino, I was just an assistant coach for the youth team. I suggest the judge consider the collection of evidence in this regard."
The judge nodded, and the jury began to discuss in hushed tones.
Ausilio's face flushed red, and he lowered his head.
Chivu continued, "Furthermore, during Mr. Thohir's tenure as Inter Milan's president, Ausilio took advantage of Mr. Thohir's long absences from Milan to collude with the club's finance and audit departments to sign dual contracts, receiving kickbacks over a long period, resulting in the loss of Inter Milan's assets."
"To my knowledge, during the 2015 summer transfer window, when China player Tang transferred to Manchester City, Ausilio privately received over 5 million euros in illegal commissions in exchange for Manchester City's priority transfer rights, allowing them to maintain an informational advantage in competition with clubs such as Manchester United, Bayern, and Real Madrid."
"The same applies to Ranocchia's transfer, as far as I know..."
After giving his testimony, Chivu left the courtroom.
It was May, and the sky over Milan was cloudless with the blazing sun.
The scorching sun beat down on Chivu's head like a whip, but he felt a cool sensation in his heart and an unprecedented sense of ease.
"It's all your own fault, Ausilio. Which of you Italy professional managers of this generation isn't a traitor who embezzles and enriches himself? Even if others are unwilling to testify, as long as I'm here, I will definitely report you!" Chivu said firmly in his heart.
Ausilio's arrest shocked the entire Italy football world.
As a ten-year veteran sporting director of a prestigious club like Inter Milan, Ausilio has extensive connections in Italy.
Many of his colleagues in the industry are his friends.
Even though they weren't close friends, they had some connection with him, and they didn't want to appear as witnesses.
For example, former Inter Milan coaches Mancini and Pioli declined the invitation from the Milan court and did not come here.
Chivu was the only person in the entire Italy football community to attend and testify.
As he walked down the street, looking at the bustling city around him, he vaguely sensed that the purge of Ausilio would cause an unprecedented earthquake in Italy football, much like the Calciopoli scandal in 2005.
This is something Chivu is happy to see.
Those things that poison football should never exist in football in the first place.
Why has Italy football continued its decline, falling far behind not only the Premier League and La Liga, but also the Bundesliga, and even surpassing Ligue 1?
Chivu, who has spent half his life in the Italy scene, knows the reason perfectly well.
He was willing to cooperate with the procuratorate and act as the whistleblower to expose this secret.
Chivu received the call from Tang Long while driving home.
"How are you doing in Madrid, Tang? It's been four years since we last met, hasn't it?"