Scenes from Italian television in the last week - compiled with the aid of cameras and microphones that the principals did not know were recording.

SCENE ONE: Saturday, outside the clubhouse of Serie A side Perugia, who have just lost 2-1 at home to relegation rivals Bari:

The home side's controversial owner-president, Luciano Gaucci, is pacing up and down, apparently somewhat distraught. Perugia captain Renato Olive has been hospitalised with a fractured cheekbone after an elbow in the face from Bari defender Ducci Innocenti during the match.

Now, when referee Emilio Pellegrino emerges from the dressing-rooms Gaucci approaches him and showers him with accusations.

"Well done, ref, you did a great job. You're going to become an international referee and meanwhile we've got a player (Olive) on the operating table in hospital. I suppose now you'll claim that you didn't see anything." The obviously embarrassed Pellegrino tries to turn away. Outside, an autumnal monsoon is coming down, leaving Pellegrino nowhere to run, until his taxi arrives. Just a few yards away Bari president, Vincenzo Matarrese, is standing on the footsteps of his club's team bus. He shouts across to his opposite number: "Gaucci, we're in Serie A now."

Gaucci chooses to interpret the observations as an insult. He hurls a series of threats and insults at Matarrese (and at his brother, FIFA vice-president Antonio Matarrese) and advances menacingly on the bus, despite the efforts of bystanders to dissuade him. Among the accusations are that the Bari president had "bought the match".

The scene ends amidst much shouting, confusion and rainfall.

SCENE TWO: Saturday, beside the coach's station during the Serie A game between Cagliari and Fiorentina. Cagliari have just scored from a controversial penalty. Fiorentina coach Giovanni Trapattoni vents his fury: "F..k, that was never a penalty, ref. It was well outside the area . . ."

SCENE THREE: Wednesday, The Ali Sami Yen stadium in Istanbul.

Italian champions AC Milan have just been eliminated from both the Champions League and the UEFA Cup by Galatasaray. Former Italy and AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, now working as a TV pundit, apparently does not realise he is "on the air".

"You can't even resuscitate this Milan, it's dead in the head and in the legs," he muses.

Some will argue that these are unfair, unnecessary, and potentially damaging behind-the-scenes intrusions. In the case of the coaches, Trapattoni and Sacchi, this may well be so, even if little damage is done by hearing them express an honest, unfudged opinion.

In the case of the club presidents, however, the assessment may be different. Italian soccer has finally yielded this season to the inevitable and accepted that TV footage may be used as evidence pertaining to violent on-the-field incidents that may have escaped the attention of the referee and his assistants. So, should the TV footage of the unseemly exchange between Gaucci and Mataresse be used in evidence against the two club presidents during the disciplinary investigation already opened by the Italian Federation?

Watch this space. And watch out for those microphones - they may not be switched off.