High tension erupted at San Siro during the interval of the heated Inter–Juventus clash, moments after Pierre Kalulu was sent off. The atmosphere in the tunnel turned explosive, with Juventus executives Stefano Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini confronting referee Federico La Penna in anger.
According to reports, both officials directed furious protests at the referee, shouting insults and expressions of disbelief. “You can’t do something like this, it’s unacceptable!” Chiellini was heard shouting. Comolli appeared even more agitated, uttering harsh words before being escorted away to prevent the situation from worsening. Witnesses even caught him exclaiming, “F***ing disgrace,” as tensions boiled over.
The uproar stemmed from Kalulu’s dismissal. The French defender received two yellow cards within a short span: the first around the 30th minute, and the second roughly ten minutes later. Juventus players and staff vehemently contested the second caution, which followed an episode involving Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. After a turnover, Bastoni surged forward on a counterattack but went to ground after what seemed like minimal contact from Kalulu.
La Penna immediately showed the second yellow, leaving Juventus down to ten men. However, television replays suggested there was no real contact. Kalulu appeared to pull his hand back before touching his opponent, who seemed to fall without being fouled.
DAZN’s refereeing analyst Luca Marelli harshly criticized the decision, calling it “a very serious mistake by La Penna.” He explained that VAR could not intervene because the incident concerned a second yellow card, not a direct red. “There was no contact between Kalulu and Bastoni,” Marelli noted. “Therefore, there was no foul and no reason for the booking.”
