Sarri Lambasts Referee Following Inter Milan Defeat, but Lazio Distance Themselves

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The Laziali

·10. November 2025

Sarri Lambasts Referee Following Inter Milan Defeat, but Lazio Distance Themselves

Following Sunday’s defeat to Inter Milan, Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri had some harsh words to say about the match official, Gianluca Manganiello.

The Background

The Biancocelesti were outplayed by the Nerazzurri from start to finish, as they found themselves trailing after less than three minutes. Lautaro Martinez scored the opener, while his striking partner, Ange Bonny, added the second at the hour mark.

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Mattia Zaccagni Got Battered by Inter Milan Players

On the other hand, Mattia Zaccagni was the main source of danger for the visitors, so he was on the receiving end of a constant beatdown from the Inter players, who could only stop him through fouls. While three of them got booked for their challenges, Sarri felt the referee was too lenient on this front.

Player Ratings: Inter Milan 2-0 Lazio – Zaccagni Can’t Do it All By Himself

Maurizio Sarri Requests Foreign Referees in Serie A

In his post-match press conference (via Il Messaggero), the Lazio coach was asked about the episode that saw him getting booked for venting at the match official. Sarri doubled down on the matter, suggesting that Serie A should start considering appointing foreign referees due to the lack of competency among Italian refs.

The reason is simple. Lautaro committed a foul on Zaccagni next to me, he wasn’t booked, and the referee sent Zaccagni out of the pitch without recalling him. Even Padre Pio would have been angry. And yet, I received a yellow card. Clearly, the referee had no impact on the result, but I think it’s time to hire referees from abroad, because I don’t see any of our referees being up to the task anymore.

Lazio ‘Clarify’ Sarri’s Controversial Comments

On Monday morning, the Lazio hierarchy swiftly distanced itself from these controversial remarks. The club released a statement on the official Lazio website, clarifying that the manager only made these comments in the heat of the moment.

SS Lazio, referring to the statements made by manager Maurizio Sarri at the end of the league match, clarifies that – as the coach himself later clarified – the referee’s work in no way influenced the progress of the match or the final result. The considerations expressed in the heat of the moment must be read in the context immediately following the match, after moments of understandable sporting tension. In a period of great generational change within the refereeing profession, it is essential that this process be accompanied and supported with balance, enhancing the training and growth of young referees. This morning, the meeting organized by the FIGC and Lega Serie A will provide the perfect opportunity to calmly examine what we are experiencing, in a moment of discussion and reflection that involves the entire football movement, with the shared goal of further improving the level of our football and all its components.