From the eve of Fiorentina-Juventus, the appointment of Andrea Colombo had raised more than a few doubts among the fans. The match at the Franchi ended up feeding them further, with the referee and the VAR at the centre of an incident destined to be discussed: the penalty not awarded for an evident handball by João Mário.
It is another decision disputed to the detriment of Juventus, Tuttosport says, adding to a rather long series of precedents. From errors made on the pitch to off-field matters connected with the referees’ inquiry, several episodes have brought the Como-based referee back into the spotlight.
The Berardi Case: Sassuolo, September 2023
Among the most discussed episodes of Colombo’s career in Juventus matches is the game against Sassuolo in September 2023, which ended in a 4-2 win for the Emilian side. On that occasion, the referee was at the centre of controversy for not showing a red card to Berardi. The Sassuolo forward made a particularly hard challenge on Bremer, judged by many to merit a sending-off.
The decision provoked immediate protests from Juventus and left plenty of doubts. Over time, the episode continues to be remembered among the refereeing decisions most contested by Juventus. Tuttosport says it contributes to doubts about how the Como referee handles Juventus matches.
The Other Cases on the List
Tuttosport’s package runs to five sections, whose headings set out the rest of the dossier:
- The contact between Gila and Conceição.
- The penalty denied in Fiorentina-Juventus.
- A precedent involving Milan’s Primavera side and alleged “denigratory” remarks to Maldini.
- The refereeing “earthquake” caused by the inquiry, and the name described as “gradito,” or welcome, to Inter.
These are Tuttosport’s framing and headline claims. I have not seen the detail of the Gila, Luperto, Milan Primavera or inquiry sections, so I would treat anything beyond the headings as unverified.
What It Means for the Week
The story gives the draw in Florence an off-field dimension. Spalletti’s own reaction, “I don’t need to watch João Mário again, I’ve already seen it on the pitch,” was restrained, but the club’s supporters have been vocal about the VAR. For a squad that Carnevali has asked to stop looking for alibis, the contested penalty is an awkward distraction. The Juventus line, as in the manager’s words, has been to focus on the “glass of water” lapses and the lack of consistency that allowed Fiorentina to take the lead twice.
