Gennaro Gattuso has slammed authorities of Italian third-tier Lega Pro in the wake of an investigation, the results of which could cost his Pisa side promotion to Serie B this season.
The Tuscan side face Siena in a key derby fixture on Thursday, with Gattuso's team six points adrift of the Lega Pro summit, which would gain automatic promotion to the second tier next season.
Preparations for that game were overshadowed by details of an investigation into the state of finances at numerous Lega Pro clubs, including Pisa.
Points could be deducted if it is proven they did not have the necessary funds to obtain a licence at the start of the season, but Gattuso says all they are doing is making a farce of the league.
"I keep on reading how they want things cleared up, but there's nothing to clear up," said the former AC Milan and Italy star at his prematch news conference. "In this league, and even in our section, there are clubs who don't even pay wages and are on the brink of bankruptcy, yet they go and wind us up over a €50,000 guarantee, which in the end is not even all it takes to guarantee a licence.
"These things only happen in Italy. What happens is we make professional leagues where the standings change every week [due to deductions]. What kind of sport is this? Why should I have to play against a side who are in good shape whereas our rivals head to a team who have just had points taken away from them?
"You tell me if it's fair. I hear them talking about how the Lega Pro should be expanded to 60 clubs -- it should be 30. I don't want to think badly about it, but everything suggests I should think badly."
The president of the Lega Pro, Gabriele Gravina, responded to Gattuso's criticism by saying he needs to get his facts straight.
"Gennaro Gattuso is a footballer who I like, as do many sportspeople in Italy," he said. "He gave us things to dream about wherever he played and now he's started a coaching career which I hope will give him plenty of satisfaction.
"But please allow me to tell you to go and read the rules and you will see that in every action we do, there are rules governing us and there is a respect for every club. What kind of a sport is this? The answer can be found among the seven million fans who follow the 54 clubs. Like those who, when you were younger, would watch you at Perugia."