Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has confidently stated that his club are worthy of playing in the Europa League next season.
The Blucerchiati are currently seventh in the Serie A table on 54 points, two points behind what will be the final Europa League qualification spot, currently occupied by local rivals Genoa.
However, the Grifone have been denied a UEFA license by the Italian Football Federation after the club failed to name a suitable stadium for their games in Europe, should the Stadio Ferraris be deemed unsuitable. They have appealed against the ruling and should the decision not be overturned , Sampdoria could qualify for Europe by finishing in seventh spot.
“I am sure we will get into the Europa League because we have earned it,” said Ferrero to Radio Crc.
“But, if we do not qualify for Europe, I will still be happy with my team.”
Ferrero then resented certain refereeing decisions that saw his side lose 1-0 against Lazio at the Stadio Ferraris last weekend and called for the game of football to be cleaner, more calm and more fun.
“The icing on the cake would have been if we defeated Lazio but we were not able to that due to refereeing mistakes and I’m angry about this,” he continued.
“Obviously some people think that being in faraway Liguria we cannot get to the top of international football. I would like football to be nice, clean, serene and fun.”
The 63-year-old also admitted that there is a 70 percent chance for current head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic to stay at Genoa next season.
“[Maurizio] Sarri? I like him. He is very good and develops youth players,” Ferrero continued.
“But Mihajlovic is fantastic. He has a one-year contract with Sampdoria and there is a 70 percent probability that he will continue at the club.”
Doria’s next Serie A match is against Empoli on Sunday at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.
