Lazio spokesman Arturo Diaconale suggested “there is a design to hobble our campaign” and it becomes difficult to “believe in the good faith” of referees.
The 3-1 loss to Torino was dominated by the double incident on the stroke of half-time.
First a penalty was not given for Iago Falque’s handling offence, then the referee sent off Ciro Immobile for what was judged to be an attempted headbutt on Nicolas Burdisso, viewed using VAR.
Lazio spokesman Arturo Diaconale suggested “there is a design to hobble our campaign” and it becomes difficult to “believe in the good faith” of referees.
The 3-1 loss to Torino was dominated by the double incident on the stroke of half-time.
First a penalty was not given for Iago Falque’s handling offence, then the referee sent off Ciro Immobile for what was judged to be an attempted headbutt on Nicolas Burdisso, viewed using VAR.
“The club is indignant at the repeated behaviour on several occasions that has damaged Lazio,” Diaconale told Sky Sport Italia and Lazio Style Channel.
“It allows the fuelling of suspicion that there is a design to hobble the Biancocelesti’s campaign.
“Technology is only an instrument that must be interpreted by people. These interpretations were not correct. It can happen one time that there is an incorrect evaluation in good faith, in the second you can also believe in good faith, but the third piece of evidence smacks of proof. We are at the fourth and it has been repeated over and over again.
“This proof shows a problem that we must protest against, because we cannot remain silent and suffer what is unjustifiable.
“We are making an official protest in the name of the club, President Claudio Lotito and the team that emerges from this game hurt by the excessive penalisation.
“It is not right that a group that works so hard is penalised in such an unfair manner.”
Lazio fans are staging a protest outside the Stadio Olimpico and tried to crowd around the car carrying referee Piero Giacomelli, while there are also reports of Biancocelesti directors screaming at the officials during the half-time break.
“The Lazio people must continue to be responsible. The club is expressing this protest also on behalf of the fans. Evidently, we hope this protest can be of use in future to achieve less irresponsible behaviour.
“Irresponsibility is not just with regards to players and fans, but also other elements,” concluded Diaconale.