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Vieri won't comment on criticism
Posted: Friday June 11, 1999 12:52 PM
SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Italian soccer player Christian Vieri refused to comment on Friday on reports that the Vatican was upset at his $50 million transfer from Lazio to Inter Milan. The Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Romano described Vieri's world record transfer fee as an "insult to the poor." But Vieri, who spent 10 years growing up in Australia, refused to respond to the newspaper's criticism when he flew into Sydney on the eve of Saturday's FIFA All-Stars match against Australia. Several of Vieri's team mates for Saturday's All-Stars match which marks the official opening of Sydney's Olympic stadium defended the Italian's transfer deal. Cameroon defender Rigobert Song, speaking through an interpreter, said: "He [Vieri] merits this type of contract, this type of reward. "That's the way football is going. It's just a matter of fact. You have to live with it." The All-Stars' English coach Roy Hodgson also defended Vieri. He said the transfer fee could well be considered excessive but was still less than what other sports offered. "The price tag for Vieri could be considered ridiculous. But then comparisons would have to be made with people in the golf world, the tennis world and not least of all what Elton John gets for a pop concert," Hodgson said.
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