Italian police were forced to intervene urgently to ensure the safety of Federico La Penna, the referee for the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Juventus, advising him to remain at home except for essential reasons, following a wave of death threats he received on social media. Local media reported on Tuesday that security authorities are taking these threats very seriously, especially given the tense atmosphere following the match.
The match, held on Saturday as part of the 25th round of Serie A, ended with league leaders Inter Milan defeating their visitors Juventus 3-2 in what became known as the "Derby d'Italia," a clash marked by significant tension both on and off the pitch. The crisis erupted in the 42nd minute when the referee showed a second yellow card, and consequently a red card, to Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu for a foul that Juventus fans and management considered phantom and nonexistent against Inter's Alessandro Bastoni.
The Derby d'Italia between Inter Milan and Juventus is one of the most sensitive matches in world football, given the long history of rivalry between the two clubs, which often transcends the boundaries of sport and becomes a matter of public debate in Italy. The current tension is further heightened by the teams' positions in the league table and their respective quests for domestic dominance, making every refereeing decision under intense scrutiny.
In the technical details of the incident, Juventus players vehemently protested, demanding the referee review the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). However, the established protocol does not permit intervention in yellow card cases unless it results in a direct red card, which put the referee in a difficult position and further angered the fans. Following the match, Juventus supporters unleashed their fury online against referee La Penna, with the criticism escalating beyond mere sporting commentary to include direct threats of physical harm.
Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni was not spared from the attack either, facing a fierce campaign and accusations of feigning injury and exaggerating his reaction to get his opponent sent off, as well as provoking the fans by celebrating the red card. In an attempt to calm the situation, Gianluca Rocchi, head of the Italian league's referees committee, offered an implicit apology for the error in judgment that marred the match, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.
This incident once again highlights the phenomenon of digital violence and the enormous pressures that referees face in major European leagues, and the impact of this on the stability of the sports system, which calls for strict security and administrative interventions to protect the elements of the game.
