Inter are set to be investigated by authorities over two incidents during their statement 4-2 victory over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening, namely an alleged phone call to the locker room from suspended coach Simone Inzaghi and a gesture made by defender Francesco Acerbi during the goal celebrations.
Inzaghi was suspended for Inter’s game against Daniele De Rossi’s Roma through the accumulation of yellow cards.
However, defender and goalscorer Alessandro Bastoni hinted that Inzaghi had been in contact with the team over the phone at half-time, which goes against Serie A rules. The Nerazzurri had been trailing 2-1 at the interval.
Inzaghi’s assistant later tried to claim that ‘a message had been delivered to the team’, but insisted that no video call had taken place.
Though difficult to police with the increasing reliance on smart phones and technology in general in this day and age, Inter will likely be investigated for the rumoured phone call according to multiple outlets, including La Repubblica.
If charged, Inzaghi could have to watch Inter’s next league game against Salernitana from the stands again, and the club could also face a fine.
Acerbi could also find himself in a bit of trouble with the FIGC after he showed a middle finger to the Roma supporters when celebrating his 17th minute opener.
The 36-year-old centre-back was on the receiving end of morbid chants from the home supporters, who had reportedly made insults referring to his battle with testicular cancer back in 2013.
At worst, the FIGC Prosecutor’s office could hand a suspension to Acerbi for his retaliation, but La Repubblica suggest that the authorities could take a more lenient approach given the circumstances.