Vice-President Of Italian Referees Association Denounces Death Threats Against Referee After Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus Derby: “Crossed Every Line Of Civility” | OneFootball

Francesco Massini, deputy vice president of the Italian Referees Association, addressed the death threats received by referee Federico La Penna.

Speaking to the ANSA news agency via FCInterNews, Massini condemned the threats, calling them beyond the limits of civility and sportsmanship.

Federico La Penna fell victim to online abuse after his controversial decisions during Saturday’s Derby d’Italia.

Indeed, the 42-year-old referee made a game-defining decision in the first half, and he was wrong.

Unfortunately, Inter center-back Alessandro Bastoni fooled La Penna, with his antics resulting in Pierre Kalulu’s expulsion.

Meanwhile, Inter would go on to win the match, emerging as 3-2 victors, courtesy of Piotr Zielinski’s last-gasp winner.

However, Bastoni and La Penna have both found themselves on the receiving end of malicious attacks on social media.

Furthermore, the 26-year-old defender had to turn off comments on his Instagram profile.

On the other hand, La Penna filed a complaint with the cyber police.

Francesco Massini Condemns Death Threats Aimed at Referee Federico La Penna

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 16: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“What happened to Federico La Penna has crossed every limit of civility and sportsmanship,” the high-ranking AIA official said.

“A referee who has to fear for his family, for his wife and daughters, because of a decision made on the pitch, is something that should outrage everyone, without exception.

“We are no longer in the realm of sport when certain boundaries are crossed,” Massini stated.

“As the AIA, we stand firmly with Federico and will consider every possible action to protect him.

“That also applies to any of our referees who are subjected to reprehensible or criminal acts,” he was adamant.

In addition to facing fierce backlash from fans, La Penna had to confront Juventus chief Giorgio Chiellini during the game.

Meanwhile, Inter president Beppe Marotta also criticized the Bianconeri hierarchy for their erratic behavior without compromising the relationship between the clubs.