Palermo chief slams referee after Sampdoria defeat

Milan - Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has slammed Serie A referee Michael Fabbri, claiming the match official should go "back to school" after a 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria on Sunday.

Zamparini is one of the most outspoken figures in Italian football and is known for his trigger-happy approach to the Sicilian club's coaches.

But instead of lashing out at Davide Ballardini, the 30th coach at Palermo since Zamparini bought the club in 2002, the Italian businessman took aim at Fabbri in a statement on the club's official website.

"The behaviour of the referee Fabbri is scandalous," wrote Zamparini.

"How can someone who is supposed to have a balanced approach to officiating instead determine the outcome of a league championship game?

"Palermo had three penalty claims that were not given and these are ERRORS. He should go back to refereeing school before returning to do damage on a football pitch.

"In my long life as a president, I have never seen such incompetence against my teams and never seen so many repeated glaring errors.

"I hope the refereeing selectors take note: such examples of unfair decisions don't reflect well on them.

"It makes me wonder what on earth the additional referees and fourth official are there for."

Palermo's ninth defeat of the campaign left it 16th in Serie A, just four points above the drop zone.