Inter-Juventus, Comolli and Chiellini banned for assaulting referee La Penna
Juventus officials Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini received bans and fines for their aggressive behavior towards referee La Penna after a tense moment during the Inter-Juventus match.
In a recent Serie A match between Inter Milan and Juventus, two officials from Juventus, Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini, faced disciplinary action for their aggressive behavior towards referee La Penna. Following the match, Comolli was banned until March 31 and fined €15,000, while Chiellini's ban lasts until February 27. This decision was made by the Serie A referee judge, Gerardo Mastrandrea, in response to an incident that occurred in the tunnel during halftime, which was ignited by a controversial red card given to Juventus player Kalulu.
The judge reported that Comolli displayed "aggressive and intimidating behavior" towards La Penna after the first half. During the exchange, Comolli attempted to physically confront the referee and verbally insulted him, a situation that required intervention from the Juventus coach and other staff members to prevent a physical altercation. This incident has raised discussions regarding sportsmanship and player conduct within Italian football, particularly in high-stakes matches like the clash between rival teams Inter and Juventus.
The penalties imposed reflect the seriousness of the officials' actions and serve as a warning about maintaining professionalism and respect towards match officials. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges that referees face in managing the emotions and pressures that come with high-profile games, highlighting the need for sports organizations to enforce strict codes of conduct to ensure the integrity of the sport.