There was an unusual moment during Empoli’s relegation battle with Cagliari, as referee Federico Dionisi limped off injured.
The official pulled up just 13 minutes into the match at the Stadio Castellani with a suspected calf strain.
After receiving treatment and reassurance from the players, who all know more about muscular injuries than anyone else, Dionisi had to hobble off the field.
He exchanged places with fourth official Valerio Marini, a process that took quite some time because now it involves removing all the various VAR communication equipment and strapping that back on to the new referee.
There was generous applause from the crowd as Dionisi was forced to limp off with help from the Empoli medical staff.
The doctors also strapped up Dionisi’s calf so that he could continue the match in the new role of fourth official.
This was only 33-year-old Dionisi’s 13th Serie A match as a referee, his seventh of the current campaign.
He made his debut in Sassuolo 3-5 Sampdoria in March 2019.