Genoa director Diego Lopez banned for 2 weeks over referee confrontation | OneFootball

Genoa sporting director Diego Lopez has been suspended until 8 September for his conduct following Saturday’s defeat to Napoli.

According to Il Fatto Quotidiano, Serie A disciplinary judge Gerardo Mastrandrea found that Lopez improperly entered the pitch at full time despite not being listed on the matchday sheet, repeatedly contested a refereeing decision while adopting an aggressive attitude, continued those protests in the dressing room area and briefly prevented the referee from closing his own dressing room door.

AUGUST 22: Johan Vasquez is challenged by Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli during the Serie A match at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Diego Lopez sanctioned over Genoa’s protests at Kevin De Bruyne goal

The flashpoint was the opening goal in the 2-0 defeat, with Genoa furious that Kevin De Bruyne’s challenge on Johan Vasquez went unpunished in the build-up to his own strike. Vergara added the second.

Daniele De Rossi had protested from the touchline during the match and was scathing afterwards, saying there was not a person in the world who thought it was not a foul.

Refereeing chief Daniele Orsato has since backed Marco Di Bello, with Italy’s officiating hierarchy maintaining no error was made.

Lopez had also referenced earlier grievances, citing a late VAR decision at Napoli and a red card Genoa felt they should have received at Roma.