ROME - Much of Italy agreed Monday on two things. Juventus will capture the serie a title, again. And the club benefited from favorable refereeing, again. All the major newspapers had front-page stories on the game, with headlines using words like scandal or gift, while several politicians entered the fray with their views. While Juventus celebrates a 25th title, cries of shame arise to condemn another referee that helped (Marcello) Lippi's team, respected daily gazzetta Dello Sport said in a front-page column.

This will not go down in history as a clean championship. The controversy follows Sunday's showdown at Turin, where league leader Juventus beat No. 2 Inter Milan 1-0, opening a four-point standings lead with three games left. It was the latest in a series of questionable referee decisions that have helped Juventus, owned by the Agnelli family of Fiat tycoons, this season.

In a pivotal 60-second span of the second half Sunday, referee Piero Ceccarini failed to whistle a clear foul on Inter Milan star Ronaldo and then, with action continuing, awarded a penalty to Juve's Alessandro Del Piero at the other end. He is the only person in the world who did not see the foul on Ronaldo, Inter coach Luigi Simoni said of Ceccarini. Two-time FIFA world player of the year Ronaldo was disconsolate.

I feel robbed. This is a real shame. They can fine me if they want, but you can't be silent in the face of things like this, said the Brazilian, who was fined by the league earlier this season for criticizing referees. Soccer is happiness if you play 11 against 11. But soccer is sadness when it is 11 against 12.

Ronaldo and Inter Milan's owner were reported Monday to the league's disciplinary committee for comments critical of the referee. Both men, as well as the club, face sanctions. (AP)