Referee designator Gianluca Rocchi admits a “serious error” regarding Pierre Kalulu’s red card, as Inter defender faces vile social media abuse and calls for national team exclusion following the Derby d’Italia.
Alessandro Bastoni at centre of storm after Inter vs Juventus diving controversy
The dust has far from settled on Saturday’s fiery Derby d’Italia, where Inter Milan’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Juventus has been overshadowed by a singular, polarizing moment.
At the heart of the storm is Nerazzurri defender Alessandro Bastoni, who finds himself the subject of intense scrutiny, social media abuse, and even calls for exclusion from the national team following a controversial incident involving Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.
The flashpoint occurred in the 42nd minute with the score finely poised.
Bastoni went to ground under what replays showed to be minimal contact from Kalulu.
Referee Federico La Penna, deceived by the simulation, issued a second yellow card to the Juventus man.
The visitors being reduced to ten men fundamentally altered the complexion of the match.
Since then, the Alessandro Bastoni controversy has rumbled on.
Referee Chief Admits “Clear Simulation”
The controversy was reignited on Monday morning when referee designator Gianluca Rocchi publicly addressed the incident.
In a rare move to transparency, Rocchi admitted that the officiating team had made a “serious error”.
He confirmed that La Penna had been misled by Bastoni’s actions.
“La Penna made a mistake, but there was a clear simulation,” Rocchi told Italian media outlets.
“It is disappointing because everyone tries to cheat us.”
Despite this admission, Bastoni is set to escape any retrospective punishment from the sporting judge.
Under current Serie A regulations, VAR cannot intervene on yellow card decisions—even if they lead to a sending off—and retrospective bans are typically reserved for violent conduct or blasphemy, not simulation that results in a second booking.
This loophole has only fueled the anger of Juventus supporters and neutrals alike, who feel justice has not been served.
Family Targeted in Social Media Backlash
Regrettably, the anger has spilled over from legitimate football debate into vile personal abuse.
Following the match, Bastoni’s social media channels were flooded with thousands of hateful messages.
The abuse escalated to a disturbing level, with threats directed not just at the player.
His wife, Camilla Bresciani, and their young children were also targeted.
In response, the couple has been forced to restrict comments on their Instagram accounts.
Inter President Beppe Marotta leaped to the defense of his player on Monday, condemning the “media pile-on” and the toxicity of the reaction.
“We are witnessing a disproportionate attack on a 26-year-old professional,” Marotta stated.
“Alessandro made a mistake, which he admits, but the reaction has crossed the line into a witch-hunt.
He does not deserve this level of vitriol for a footballing incident.”
Calls for National Team Exclusion
Perhaps the most significant professional consequence for Bastoni could come from the Italian national team.
With Italy facing crucial World Cup play-off matches in March against Northern Ireland, there is growing pressure on Azzurri head coach Gennaro Gattuso to make a statement.
Several high-profile pundits and former players have publicly urged Gattuso to drop Bastoni from the upcoming squad.
This would serve as a disciplinary measure, citing the need to uphold values of fair play.
While reports suggest Gattuso is reluctant to weaken his defence ahead of such a vital fixture, the noise surrounding the issue is becoming impossible to ignore.
For Bastoni, what started as a split-second decision to gain an advantage has spiraled into a saga that threatens to overshadow his season.
As Inter prepare for their next fixture, all eyes will be on how their defensive stalwart handles the hostile reception that inevitably awaits him.
