Referee Federico La Penna faces police protection and a likely suspension after sending off Pierre Kalulu for a clear simulation by Alessandro Bastoni in Inter’s 3-2 win over Juventus. Punters should be wary: expect short-term market volatility on Juventus match odds and card/disciplinary props — avoid booking-based bets until official sanctions and referee appointments are clarified.
Controversial red card overshadows Inter 3-2 Juventus
The incident that ignited fury
Federico La Penna showed Pierre Kalulu a second yellow card for a challenge on Alessandro Bastoni; replays suggested Bastoni had simulated the fall and should have received the second booking. The dismissal left Juventus to play with 10 men and sparked immediate protest from players and officials. The decision proved decisive as Inter held on to a 3-2 victory.
VAR limits and the key error
Juventus appealed for video intervention, but current rules do not permit VAR review of second-yellow decisions. Serie A’s chief refereeing officer Gianluca Rocchi described the call as “a clearly wrong decision,” highlighting the limitations officials face when simulation and second bookings collide with VAR protocols.
Online abuse and police protection
La Penna has been subjected to a barrage of abusive messages and death threats following the match, some targeting his family. He filed a formal complaint and has been advised by police to remain at home while the investigation continues. Bastoni also received online abuse and disabled comments on his social accounts.
Disciplinary consequences and potential suspension
Sources inside the refereeing body indicate La Penna could face a suspension of up to one month for the error. Club figures who confronted the official during and after the match — including Juventus’s chief executive and sporting director — now risk disciplinary sanctions themselves after confrontations in the tunnel and on the touchline.
Match recap and decisive moments
Manuel Locatelli briefly levelled for Juventus after the dismissal, but Piotr Zielinski struck the winner from the edge of the area in the 90th minute. The result leaves Juventus rueing three points lost and raises broader questions about officiating, simulation and crowd behaviour in Serie A.
What this means for Serie A
The episode has intensified scrutiny on simulation, VAR limitations and referee protection. Clubs, referees and league authorities face pressure to tighten protocols around simulations and to improve safeguards for match officials against online and offline abuse.
Inter vs. Juventus refereeing upset Milan too – report
Replays showed Bastoni had clearly simulated the fall. Juventus officials and fans argued that the decision heavily influenced the game, which Inter won 3-2, despite the Bianconeri having fought back to level the score with 10 men. The Guardian
