Moise Kean’s foul on Gianluca Mancini, which cost him a red card 40 seconds after his introduction in Roma–Juventus has sparked comments on social media, with several fans mentioning a similar incident involving Francesco Totti and Mario Balotelli.
Kean was given his marching orders 40 seconds after being subbed on by Massimiliano Allegri at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
He tried to win the ball back from Gianluca Mancini, but after failing to do so, he reacted by kicking his opponent’s leg with the ball far away. A straight red card was the natural consequence of his violent conduct and Allegri said after the game Juventus would fine their striker.
The incident was similar to a foul Francesco Totti made on Mario Balotelli on May 5, 2010, during a Coppa Italia Final between Roma and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico.
Totti was also introduced in the second half but was given a straight red card for a similar foul on the Nerazzurri striker with only three minutes remaining.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner explained his reaction in his biography.
“Claudio Ranieri put me on after the break, we were one goal down, but Inter were stronger so frustration increased.
“Balotelli had already insulted Roma fans that night and three minutes before the final whistle, I lost control.
“Before a throw-in, he told me something like: ‘When will you catch me?’ adding an insult. It was enough. I chased him. I didn’t only want to hit him. I wanted to hurt him.
“It was an awful foul. I didn’t even wait for the referee to show me the red card.”