Milan striker Olivier Giroud has been handed a two-match Serie A ban for insulting the referee, while Lecce are also penalised for their protests.
The fiery 2-2 draw at the Stadio Via del Mare ended in chaos when first Giroud was dismissed for dissent, then Lecce thought they had scored a winner with Roberto Piccoli, only for it to be disallowed using VAR for stepping on Malick Thiaw’s foot.
At first, it had seemed as if Giroud was shown two yellow cards in quick succession, but the referee’s report confirms it was a yellow card for dissent, followed by a straight red for even more insulting protests.
This has earned the French striker a two-match ban, so he will miss the games against Fiorentina and Frosinone.
Lecce were furious at the disallowed goal and President Sticchi Damiani went on television afterwards to accuse the referees and VAR of ‘splitting hairs’ to find a reason to rule the winner out.
Sticchi Damiani has been suspended until December 4 and director Sandro Mencucci until November 27, both for insulting the officials and using ‘intimidatory, offensive and threatening’ words.
Lecce director of sport Stefano Trinchera is fined €10,000 and suspended for three Serie A matches for storming off the touchline, then making ‘intimidatory’ gestures along with a blasphemous phrase, all within earshot of the fourth official.
He then continued this in the locker room.
Assistant manager Andrea Tarozzi was also suspended for one Serie A match and fined €5,000 for his dissent.