Controversial whistles: Serie A referees penalized after mistakes

Dissatisfaction with the performance of referees in Italian soccer is on the rise. Recently, referee Marco Di Bello was handed a one-month ban after making several wrong decisions during the match between Lazio Roma and AC Milan (0:1). The match also had significance for FC Bayern Munich, as Lazio Roma are their opponents in the Champions League. This information comes from a report in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

Another referee, Giovanni Ayroldi, was suspended for two matches because he mistakenly awarded a penalty in a match between Inter Milan and CFC Genoa (2:1). This happened after a tackle between Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup and Inter defender Nicolo Barella, although the video assistant system was unable to detect any infringement of the rules. Ayroldi was also accused of additional mistakes, such as a yellow card against Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez for alleged malingering.

Referee Matteo Marchetti, who officiated at the Serie A match between FC Torino and AC Florence (0:0), was also accused of several errors and will not be allowed to officiate for the next two match days.

In the midst of these controversies, Lazio Rome president Claudio Lotito criticized the current refereeing system. Last Saturday, he called for reform and pointed out that if self-correction was not possible within the system, it would be necessary to turn to a higher authority.