7M - Referee La Penna Stays Home After Death Threats

Federico La Penna, the Serie A referee, has received numerous death threats following a controversial red card issued to a Juventus player during Saturday's match against Inter. Italian police have reportedly advised him to stay at home due to safety concerns.

La Penna ignited anger among Juventus fans when he sent off Pierre Kalulu after issuing a second yellow card for a challenge on Alessandro Bastoni, who appeared to have simulated the fall. The decision was pivotal in the match, which Inter won 3-2, despite Juventus managing to equalize with ten men.

In the aftermath, La Penna faced a torrent of online abuse, including severe threats directed at him and his family. Messages included: "I'll shoot you;" "I'll kill you;" and "We know where you live, we're coming for you."

The referee has lodged a formal complaint regarding the threats, and several Italian outlets report that police have instructed him to remain indoors for his safety.

According to sources within the Italian referees' association (AIA), La Penna may face a one-month suspension after what Serie A's chief refereeing officer, Gianluca Rocchi, called "a clearly wrong decision." Although Juventus players pleaded for a video assistant referee review, officials cannot assess second yellow cards, and Bastoni himself should have received a second yellow for simulation.

"La Penna is devastated, and we support him, but he was not the only one who erred," Rocchi stated via the AIA. "A clear simulation occurred, part of a larger trend where deception runs rampant in our league."

Bastoni also faced online backlash, leading him and his wife to disable comments on his social media. His celebration following Kalulu's dismissal was deemed unsporting, resulting in calls for his exclusion from the national squad.

"You can't discuss football today," remarked Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus's director of football strategy. "What happened is unacceptable."

At halftime, Juventus CEO Damien Comolli had to be calmed down to prevent an altercation with La Penna, while manager Luciano Spalletti was seen arguing with the referee.

"Juventus lost three points, but Italian football lost far more," Comolli said, but both he and Chiellini risk disciplinary measures.

Piotr Zielinski scored Inter's winning goal from the edge of the area in the 90th minute, just seven minutes after Manuel Locatelli had equalized.