Referee Federico La Penna is expected to be suspended around a month after his much-criticized performance during Inter’s clash with Juventus at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport And La Repubblicathis sanction would brutally slow down the rise of a referee considered promising, but still inexperienced at the highest level, in particular because he does not belong to the UEFA elite group. His appointment had, however, been supported by Gianluca Rocchi, convinced that his style close to that of Daniele Doveri, current reference of the AIA, would make the game more fluid during the most exposed match in Italian football.
But the meeting turned into an arbitration fiasco, in particular because of two decisions considered erroneous concerning Pierre Kalulu: a first warning considered severe after contact with Nicolo Barella, then a second considered unjustified for a slight clash with Alessandro Bastoni, leading to his expulsion. This double episode overshadowed what was to be the match of his consecration, especially since his only previous high-profile meeting remained the Inter-Naples 2024 draw marked by the controversy between Juan Jesus and Francesco Acerbi. From now on, this announced suspension appears to be a major setback to his season and a clear signal sent to the Italian refereeing body.
