Red card for Juve's Kalulu was clear mistake says referees' chief

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 16 - Italy's referees selector Gianluca Rocchi has admitted that the decision to send off Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu for a second yellow card in his side's 3-2 defeat to Serie A leaders Inter at San Siro on Saturday was a clear mistake amid a massive furore over the decision. Kalulu was given a second booking by referee Federico La Penna for a foul on Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni, although TV replays showed that Bastoni dived. The Italy centre-back then went on to celebrate getting his opponent red-carded with his team mates to boot. The VAR was unable to do anything because the protocol does not allow it to intervene with second yellow cards, only direct red cards. "We are very sorry about this episode," Rocchi told ANSA via telephone on Sunday, "about La Penna's decision, which was clearly wrong, and about the fact that we were unable to use VAR to correct it. "La Penna is mortified and we are supportive of him. "But I have to tell you the truth - he is not the only one who made a mistake because yesterday there was a clear simulation. "It is latest in a long series in a championship in which they try in every way to screw us". Bastoni and his wife closed comments on their social media profiles after being hit by a wave of insults and threats following the incident. "Poor child that has a such a disgusting father," read one comment on a family photo posted on Instagram. "It'll be so beautiful when you die together with your children," said another. Saturday's victory keeps Inter eight points clear of second-placed AC Milan, who won 2-1 at Pisa on Friday and have a game in hand. Champions Napoli are third with 50 points, 11 behind Inter, and AS Roma are fourth with 47 after the two sides battled out a 2-2 draw in Naples on Sunday. Juventus are one point further back in fifth. (ANSA). Read article...

By ANSA