Serie A referees chief apologizes for the red card incident, blames player behavior and clubs, and calls for accountability across Italian football
The fallout from the explosive Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus has taken another dramatic turn. This time, the admission comes from the very top of Italian refereeing.
Gianluca Rocchi, the Serie A referees designator, has publicly acknowledged that referee Federico La Penna made a clear mistake in sending off Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu — a decision that heavily influenced the match at San Siro.
“We are extremely sorry,” Rocchi told the ANSA. “La Penna’s decision was clearly wrong, and he will be sidelined for a long time. What hurts even more is that VAR could not be used to correct the mistake.”
“Bastoni Simulated – They’re Trying to Fool Us”
While taking responsibility for the officiating error, Rocchi did not stop there. The former international referee openly criticized Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni, accusing him of simulation.
“La Penna is devastated, and we stand by him,” Rocchi said. “But he wasn’t the only one at fault. There was a clear simulation — the latest in a long list. In this league, everyone is constantly trying to trick us.”
Rocchi’s comments poured fuel on an already raging debate, shifting part of the blame onto players and their on-field behavior rather than solely onto officials.
A Broader Attack on Clubs and Coaches
The referees chief also took aim at Serie A coaches and clubs, accusing them of failing to support officials and instead creating a hostile environment.
“This is a league where coaches have never helped us — they’ve made our job harder,” Rocchi continued. “In the end, referees become the outlet for everyone’s frustration. We take responsibility when we make mistakes, but nobody ever defends us.”
He stressed that referees are the only group in Italian football willing to publicly admit errors. “We even have a weekly show where we openly analyze our mistakes,” Rocchi said. “I haven’t heard clubs or coaches do the same. If they admitted their faults just 10% of the time we do, that would already be something.”
“Someone Else Should Look in the Mirror”
Rocchi concluded with a pointed message to the football world. “If it’s easier to say it’s always Rocchi’s referees’ fault, fine,” he said. “But I believe someone else should take a long, hard look at themselves — especially those who step onto the pitch with certain attitudes.”
The red card controversy may be officially acknowledged as an error, but Rocchi’s remarks ensure the debate is far from settled. Instead, Inter–Juventus has become a symbol of a deeper crisis — one involving refereeing standards, player conduct, and a system where accountability is still fiercely contested.
