Marco Di Bello lost control of the game between AC Milan and Lazio, dishing out three red cards to the latter and eleven yellow cards in total. As such, per various reports, the referee will be on the sidelines for at least a month.
It was indeed a heated game between two teams that wanted to win at all costs. The first red card sparked the controversy, as Lazio wanted to let the ball run out, but Christian Pulisic (rightfully so) played on and forced Luca Pellegrini to a second yellow card.
As reported by Sky Italia, as well as Corriere della Sera, the referee Di Bello will now be sidelined for at least a month after he lost control of the game. AIA, the referees’ association, agrees with the decisions made but the failure to calm the players cost him dearly.
It was right not to award a penalty for Mike Maignan’s challenge, as the goalkeeper got the ball first, and the second yellow for Pellegrini was inevitable. It was a clear holding on Pulisic and as the referee hadn’t blown the whistle, there was nothing else to do.
The other red cards were the result of tempers running high on the pitch, which is something that Di Bello should have avoided. In short, he will not be sidelined for the decisions made, but rather for his inability to take charge of the game.
Lazio and their fans accusing us of unsportsmanlike conduct, when their own team was playing dirty. They had it out for our players. And now Pulisic is being sent threats even towards his family.
Lazio is one of the most hated teams in the Serie A, along with their fans.
Wow – I hadn’t heard that about Pulisic yet. They sound almost as deranged as Napoli fans.
is that true?
Yeah it’s true, they’re sending him death wishes for him and his family on social platforms. Degenerate fascists, worst kind of fans out there.
That elbow to the back of Girouds head was horrible.
When players get red hot like that a 2 minute break wouldn’t be the stupidest idea to have.. call it hydration break. Heh
Why should the referee be sidelined? Lazio players should be slammed for their lack of discipline.
this, these guys are professional players
In fact Di Bello should have shown red cards for Hysaj & Luis Alberto too. But regardless, he did well. It wasn’t the ref who was “out of control” but the players. And the ref had the balls to show them red – as deserved.
And Romagnoli
LOL. True. So basically roughly half of the Lazio players 🙂
Yep, Lazio ought to get fined or something.
It’s coach who needs to control his players not ref but Sarri was off the hook as well and didn’t do jack shit to calm his players down.
How it’s referee’s fault that these dumbasses can’t control themselves? His every decision is justified apart from not showing red to thar dirty scumbag hysaj.
I guess Lotito made a few calls
The referee lost the game from start…he started leaving Lazio players do rough tackels on Milan Players at will….I fact in the first half he was very hesitant to show the yellow cards. He and Var erased Lao goal because his shadow was ofside….then Milan scored again the Lazio players and coach asked for the goal to disallowed also….and then they started increasing fouling stopping Milan players form playing the ball a number…it looked evident that Lazio players and coach went bongers
Yeah they looked more like Mourinho’s Roma than Sarri’s Lazio😏