When coaches get involved: Milan rightly furious after Chivu and Fabregas incidents

This season, AC Milan have been subjected to a few occasions where managers have been wrongly involved in games, yet nothing has ever been done with it. 

Last night’s involvement from Cesc Fabregas brings up an uneasy question again, why are Milan the victims of coaches getting involved in games. If it were once now and again, it would be fair enough. However, this is the second time this season alone where coaches have played potentially influential roles.

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Multiple incidents in 12 months

Fabregas preventing Alexis Saelemaekers from getting close to his players could have played a huge role in Como potentially scoring. The contact was clear, and caught on film. Yet, Massimiliano Allegri was sent off.

It seems like nothing will happen to the Spaniard too, with the Sporting Judge not passing a comment on the situation. All this whilst the Diavolo will now be without Allegri on the sidelines for a game for protesting against the flaw.

This is the second time in a vital game where this has happened. Of course, against Inter earlier in the season, Cristian Chivu go infront of Adrien Rabiot to stop him from taking a throw in, in a key moment of the game.

It is not even a case of an accidental step, given he looked directly at him and held his arms up to stop the throw in from being taken. Whilst the pair laughed it off, it is a direct involvement of play, which managers cannot do.

You can even look to last season where Simone Inzaghi was accused of ‘man-marking’ Theo Hernandez in the derby. The Italian was outside of his technical area and blocked a straight run for the Frenchman.

The fact that none of these incidents were spotted or dealt with by officials raises questions about how often this can occur. Again, if this was one incident, it would be understandable. However, this is three occasions in less than 12 months, all in key games.

Ultimately, it needs discussing.

Moving forward

So, where do Milan go from here? We must await if there will be any conversations about the matter in the near future, and whether Fabregas will be fined or suspended for his actions, given he has already admitted to getting involved in play.

It’s unsportsmanlike, and it does Italian football no favours to see these incidents regularly go without punishment. How often does it happen in other elite leagues or competitions…