Late refereeing decisions spark controversy as Parma coach fumes and Gasperini replies with irony
Tempers flared after Roma’s dramatic comeback win over Parma Calcio 1913, with Parma head coach Carlos Cuesta launching a furious post-match attack over several controversial refereeing decisions.
The chaotic Serie A clash ended in bitter fashion for Parma, who saw Roma overturn the game late amid disputed calls involving penalties, fouls, and an alleged handball by Gianluca Mancini in the build-up to Devyne Rensch’s decisive goal.
“The whole stadium and all of Italy saw it”
Cuesta did not hold back in his post-match interview, insisting the incidents were obvious to everyone watching.
“I think it’s obvious what happened. The whole stadium saw it, all of Italy saw it,” the Parma coach said.
“Parma deserves respect.”
The Spanish manager referenced a series of moments late in the second half, particularly the sequence leading from Parma’s chance to make it 3-2 to the penalty eventually awarded to Roma after a VAR review.
“There’s a very obvious dynamic from 2-1 to 2-3,” Cuesta continued. “I’m not speaking only about the incidents in our penalty area, but also those situations where we were trying to attack and score the third goal.”
He specifically pointed to a foul called against striker Pellegrino following a challenge with Ghilardi.
“The foul on Pellegrino? Too obvious. I’d really like to know what they saw there… We had the chance to make it 3-2.”
Moments later, the action flipped to the other end, where referee Daniele Chiffi—after initially signaling an attacking foul—awarded Roma a penalty following a VAR intervention for a holding offense by Britschgi on Rensch.
Gasperini responds with sarcasm
Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini quickly responded in his press conference, choosing irony over confrontation.
“There are images, all of Italy will see them. Cuesta is right—they all seem very obvious to me,” Gasperini said with a smile.
Despite the sarcasm, Gasperini acknowledged Parma’s frustration after conceding so late.
“Let’s leave it there. I understand the disappointment of losing in stoppage time. They played with extraordinary spirit, and that’s good for the league.”
The Roma boss also defended his side’s victory, arguing the overall balance of the match justified the result.
“Winning this game is a great source of satisfaction for us. We created many chances, and Suzuki was extraordinary. The numbers speak for themselves, and so do the incidents.”
He concluded by admitting defeat would have felt cruel for Roma given the flow of the game.
“It would have been a real injustice for us to lose this match, so I understand their bitterness.”
Debate set to continue
The match immediately ignited debate across Italian football, especially on social media, where fans and pundits dissected every controversial call—from the late penalty to an earlier appeal involving Mancini and Valenti inside Roma’s box.
With the Champions League race entering its decisive phase, the fallout from Parma-Roma is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
