The clash between Inter and Juventus kept all its promises and had a profound impact on people in Italy. In this decisive Italia derby for the title race, Inter snatched victory in the final moments (3-2) to maintain their place at the top of Serie A, leaving Juve in a worrying 5th position. But beyond the breathtaking scenario, the posts after the equalizer, Pio Esposito’s gem and Zielinski’s decisive strike, an incident completely changed the game: the expulsion of Pierre Kalulu in the 42nd minute. Already warned after contact deemed severe with Nicolo Barella, the French defender received a second yellow card for a slight clash with Alessandro Bastoni. However, the replays showed that Kalulu did not really touch his opponent, whose spectacular fall sparked the controversy. The decision of referee Federico La Penna, all the more serious as VAR cannot intervene in this type of situation, eclipsed everything else. “We cannot continue like this”we were already repeating at the break in the stands of San Siro and on social networks. From this red card, the observers were already talking about nothing else, relegating the spectacle and the five goals to the background.
The tension immediately rose a notch in the tunnel of the Milan stadium. Luciano Spalletti allegedly explained to the referee that he “distorted the match”while Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli strongly questioned Federico La Penna. According to La Gazzetta dello SportComolli would have “uttered unspeakable insults in English against the referee”to the point that Spalletti had to push him back towards the locker room to avoid escalation. Juventus then decided to boycott post-match media obligations, as relayed by DAZN France. Only Chiellini and Comolli spoke. “What happened tonight is a shame. This must never happen again. It’s happened again and again, and tonight is the perfect example. Seeing this in front of the whole world is scandalous.”blurted Comolli. The former Italian defender hit the nail on the head: “We can’t talk about football after what happened tonight. Today something unacceptable happened. (…) This error is not acceptable, to spoil such a match and the level is not up to par. This is the show we are giving to the rest of the world, we must change immediately and stop procrastinating”. Prolonged anger in the stands after Zielinski’s goal, where the Turin leaders, attacked by Nerazzurri fans, had to leave their place under escort.
Everyone takes charge
Beyond the fury in Turin, the affair took on a national dimension. Gianluca Rocchi, boss of Italian referees, admitted to the agency ANSA : “we are very sorry for the episode for the decision of La Penna which is clearly erroneous and for the fact of not being able to use the Var to correct it”. But he also pointed the finger at Alessandro Bastoni: “La Penna is devastated and we are by his side, but I have to tell you the truth, he is not the only one who made a mistake, because yesterday there was a clear simulation. (…) In this championship, they are trying by all means to deceive us”. FIGC president Gabriele Gravina made contact with Rocchi, while Juve owner John Elkann telephoned the federation president to express his “strong dissatisfaction with repeated refereeing errors” and ask for solutions in order to “guarantee the integrity and credibility of Italian football”. Even the president of the Italian Senate and Inter supporter, Ignazio La Russa, joined the debate: “if it’s true that we ‘stole’ an eviction, and we kind of did, it’s not that bad. (…) It’s the supporter who speaks. I say it with a smile”while attacking Chiellini: “dear Chiellini, you are not the best person to give lessons”.
Former players and consultants have also taken a stand. Alessandro Del Piero, initially measured, finally estimated that Cristian Chivu had “badly commented on the expulsion” and added: “when a clearly wrong episode is in your favor, you’re not happy. (…) I hope that tomorrow Chivu will understand that it was not a contact that warranted an expulsion and that Bastoni should not have fallen like this”. On protocol, he denounced “an absurdity” continuing. “The Var cannot intervene because of poorly made regulations. (…) Today you determined a match with something unfair.”. Serse Cosmi criticized everyone: “I didn’t like Chivu’s words or those of Chiellini who told us that it’s not football. (…) Here, there is a simulation”. At the same time, Giovanni Sartori, technical director of Bologna, spoke of having “a little concern” around the Italian arbitration class. The debates revived old memories, from the precedent of 2018 to the shadow of Calciopoli, proof that each Inter-Juve carries its share of ghosts.
This new controversy could accelerate a major reform. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is due to meet on February 28 in Wales to discuss an extension of the VAR protocol to sending offs for double warnings. So far excluded, these situations could be re-examined in the event of“clear and obvious error”a development described as historic. Other proposals are being studied such as the correction of a sanction awarded to the wrong team, a review of a clearly erroneous corner, a countdown for throw-ins or a ten-second limit for leaving the field during a substitution. Inter-Juve may have served as a detonator. Because basically, as many observers summarize, in evenings like this everyone loses: La Penna, who should be suspended for a month, Bastoni, victim of cyberharassment and accused of having tarnished his image, just like Chivu and Chiellini, criticized for their hot outings. And above all Serie A, which, when showing itself in its best light, offered the world a spectacle parasitized by controversies. “Football belongs to everyone”, we often say in Italy. It is still necessary that his rules live up to his passion.
