Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi analysed the controversial incidents in Lazio–Milan and Torino–Fiorentina, explaining where the officials got it right and what mistakes were made.
Marco Di Bello was lambasted in the media and Lazio President Claudio Lotito is threatening legal action after the 1-0 Milan win, which saw the Aquile reduced to eight men.
The first contentious situation saw Mike Maignan come sliding out to clear a poor Alessandro Florenzi back-pass and as he continued the slide, crashed into Taty Castellanos.
Lazio wanted a penalty, the referee waved play on, feeling it was a natural movement.
“It is a very borderline situation. He got the ball first and then continued the slide,” Rocchi told DAZN.
“We will also fully admit that if the referee had given a penalty, we would not have over-ruled it, because these are not clear and obvious errors. It remains an interpretation.”
The presence of Matteo Gabbia to control the ball and have it under possession was also not a disclaimer, although Rocchi will admit “it perhaps would make someone look at it a little differently” if Castellanos had been able to get the ball.
“If you slow that down, it looks more like a penalty, but it was such a complicated dynamic that we feel it is right to support the evaluation the referee made in the moment.”
Lazio were more furious about the second yellow card to Luca Pellegrini, who had pulled back Christian Pulisic when trying to shepherd the ball out of play for a Castellanos facial injury.
“The referee did not even physically have the time to stop play. It was behind him as well, so if he had the sensation it was something serious, he would’ve stopped play,” explained Rocchi.
“I understand it is a difficult situation, but the gesture on Pulisic was so clear. The referee was more attracted to what happened afterwards rather than what happened before. We intervene when something is serious, otherwise you have to keep playing.”
Where Rocchi is most ready to condemn Di Bello is over the two late red cards to Adam Marusic for dissent and Matteo Guendouzi for a supposed reaction foul on Pulisic.
“I cannot say too much here, as the prosecutor is still evaluating it. I do not know what was said, we are waiting for the referee’s report.
“What I can say is that Di Bello could’ve controlled the situation better. I read some of the criticism, it is sad to see the almost violent level of criticism aimed at him, as if he didn’t realise it was not ideal. He is mortified by this.
“When a referee sees the tension rising, he must try to squash it down. What he must not do is chase the game that is getting ahead of him.”
There was also a controversial situation between Torino and Fiorentina when Samuele Ricci received a second yellow card for dissent from referee Matteo Marchetti, before giving the booking to Arthur Melo for the foul he had been complaining about.
“With Marchetti it was a lack of experience. The first action must be taken against the player who commits the foul. Then, and only then, if there is still dissent then deal with that.
“If the referee had gone immediately to show the card, it might’ve avoided such a strong reaction.”