Cambiasso hits back at criticism

Milan:

Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso hit back on Friday at claims that his club didn't deserve to win the 2005-06 Serie A title. He was reacting to the claims after Italy's match-fixing scandal stripped Juventus of the championship. Inter, which finished third behind Juventus and AC Milan, was declared Serie A champion Wednesday by the Italian soccer federation as the highest-ranking team in the standings that had not been punished in the case. However, following the ruling, a number of prominent figures within Italian soccer argued that Inter didn't merit the Serie A title as the club hadn't won the crown on the field. "When I hear it said that we have to win a scudetto on the pitch, I respond that we did. We won the points on the pitch,'' said Cambiasso. Among those who have vented their opposition to Wednesday's decision was Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved. AC Milan owner, billionaire businessman and former premier Silvio Berlusconi joked Thursday that he was "happy" for cross-city rival Inter, adding sarcastically that the title had been assigned as a lifetime achievement award. The 2005-06 crown was perennial Serie A contender Inter Milan's first championship title in 17 years, during which time the club finished in the league's top-three eight times. Regardless of the criticism, for Cambiasso and Inter winning the league was cause for celebration. (AP)