From the celebration in Stanciu’s face to Pavlovic’s “Maspero-style” trick, controversy explodes at San Siro — while Dimarco’s case fuels debate
Fikayo Tomori and penalty drama: a pairing that is starting to look uncomfortably familiar. The Milan defender once again found himself at the center of controversy after celebrating a missed penalty directly in the face of an opponent — but unlike previous episodes, this time the gesture came with consequences.
Tomori booked, Florence match missed
During Milan–Genoa, after Nicolae Stanciu sent his penalty sky-high, Fikayo Tomori ran straight toward the Genoa player, celebrating provocatively at close range. Referee Maurizio Mariani deemed the reaction excessive and unsporting, showing Tomori a yellow card.
That booking carries weight. Already on a caution warning, Tomori will now miss Milan’s upcoming trip to Florence, depriving AC Milan of one of their defensive pillars at a delicate moment in the season.
It’s not the first time. Milan fans will remember a near-identical episode in the November derby, when Tomori celebrated Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s missed penalty right in front of the former teammate. On that occasion, referee Simone Sozza opted not to book him — a discrepancy that is now reigniting debate.
The Dimarco precedent that divides opinions
The sense of unequal treatment is reinforced by another recent case. In January 2024, during a heated Inter–Verona clash, Federico Dimarco reacted provocatively after Henry missed a penalty, shouting toward the Verona forward. Referee Michael Fabbri took no disciplinary action.
Different referees, different interpretations — and a growing feeling that the line between adrenaline and provocation remains dangerously blurred.
Pavlovic’s “Maspero moment” steals the scene
As if Tomori’s suspension weren’t enough, Milan–Genoa delivered another surreal episode. In the 99th minute, with chaos reigning after Rafael Leão’s equalizer, Mariani awarded Genoa a penalty for a challenge by Davide Bartesaghi.
While protests raged, Strahinja Pavlovic took matters into his own hands. The Milan defender repeatedly scuffed the penalty spot — six deliberate passes with his boots — in full view of everyone. A move straight out of football folklore, recalling Ricky Massimo’s infamous trick on Marcelo Salas in the 2001 Turin derby.
Pavlovic was eventually booked for unsporting behavior, but the damage was done. Stanciu, visibly aware of the “ploughed” spot, calmly placed the ball… and blasted it into the stands. Mission accomplished.
Between gamesmanship and punishment
From Tomori’s suspension to Pavlovic’s audacious initiative, Milan–Genoa has reopened an old discussion: where does competitive edge end and unsporting conduct begin?
What is certain is that this time Milan paid a tangible price. Tomori will watch from the stands in Florence, while debates over consistency, refereeing standards, and on-field behavior rage on — fueled, inevitably, by comparisons with past episodes involving Inter and beyond.
At San Siro, drama wasn’t limited to the scoreline.
