Lazio distance themselves from Sarri comments after coach slams Italian refereeing standards | OneFootball

Lazio have released an official statement distancing themselves from coach Maurizio Sarri’s post-match remarks following the 2-0 defeat to Inter at San Siro.

Sarri openly criticised referee Gianluca Manganiello after the game, suggesting Italian officials were no longer up to standard and even proposing the use of “foreign referees” in Serie A.

Sarri believed that Inter captain Lautaro Martinez should have been given a yellow card that the referee decided against, leaving the coach feeling hard done by.

Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny scored the goals that gave the Nerazzurri revenge against the side that derailed their Scudetto ambitions last campaign.

“It’s time to start renting referees from abroad,” he said.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“The situation has become serious. I don’t see referees who are up to the task anymore, and tonight’s certainly wasn’t.”

Lazio respond to Sarri comments about referees

The club moved swiftly to clarify its position, issuing a statement that directly contradicted their coach’s comments.

“The referee’s work did not in any way influence the match or the final result,” read the note. “The coach’s remarks were made in the immediate aftermath of the game, in a moment of understandable tension.”

Lazio President Claudio Lotito (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Lazio also took the opportunity to express support for Italy’s new generation of referees. “It’s essential that this generational change is supported with balance, encouraging the training and growth of young officials.”

The statement added that the FIGC and Lega Serie A’s upcoming meeting would offer a chance to “analyse this moment calmly and constructively, with the shared goal of improving the level of Italian football and all its components.”