Officials from Juventus expressed their outrage over what they deemed an “unacceptable” and “embarrassing” decision to send off defender Pierre Kalulu during Saturday’s dramatic defeat to arch-rivals Inter Milan.
Kalulu received a second yellow card just before halftime when referee Federico La Penna ruled that he had pulled back Alessandro Bastoni.
In disbelief, Kalulu reacted as the referee showed the yellow card before issuing a red and seemed to signal for a video assistant referee review. However, VAR cannot overturn yellow cards, even if they lead to a red.
Footage circulating on social media captured Juventus’ director of football strategy, Giorgio Chiellini, and CEO Damien Comolli confronting La Penna angrily in the tunnel at halftime, with their frustrations continuing after Inter’s 3-2 victory.
“It’s difficult to discuss football after today’s events,” Chiellini stated. “An unacceptable incident has occurred again, one that should not mar a match of this significance.”
“We are putting on a show for the world, and we need to implement urgent changes, without the usual delays characteristic of Italian football. From the start of the year, we’ve noted the inadequate structure of the league. We can’t proceed this way. Decisions like today’s cannot be made lightly.”
Before the sending-off, Juventus had equalized after Andrea Cambiaso cancelled out his own goal that initially put Inter in the lead.
However, Inter regained control in the 76th minute when forward Pio Esposito scored with a powerful header from Federico Dimarco‘s left-wing cross.
While Manuel Locatelli managed to equalize in the 83rd minute from a cross by Weston McKennie, it was Piotr Zielinski‘s last-minute goal that clinched victory for Inter in the Derby d’Italia.
This outcome carries significant consequences for both clubs this season. Inter now sits eight points clear at the top of Serie A, although they have played one more game than their closest competitors, AC Milan and Napoli.
Juventus, on the other hand, is now 15 points behind the leaders and, currently in fourth place, faces a tough challenge in securing a spot for next season’s Champions League.
“Today’s events were embarrassing,” Comolli remarked. “What occurred has been witnessed worldwide. It cannot happen again, and tonight’s incident is just the latest in a series of issues we’ve faced this season.”
“Accepting these injustices is very difficult. We cannot focus on football right now. The coach and players are understandably frustrated. This situation is utterly unacceptable. We’ve lost three points, but the losses to Italian football are far greater.”
“The primary message is for our fans. At Juventus, we stand united against injustice, and we will not relent.”