The Biancocelesti club takes a tough stance after Davis’ goal against Udinese was allowed: letter to President Simonelli requesting a meeting with AIA and FIGC. But Rocchi believes referee Colombo was right

Lazio is furious with the referees after Colombo’s performance on Saturday in Udine. In particular, for an unpunished handball by Davis in the action that led to him scoring the equalizer in the 50th minute of the second half. According to Adnkronos, the Biancocelesti club sent a strongly worded letter to Serie A president Ezio Simonelli and Serie A Federal Council members Giuseppe Marotta, Stefano Campoccia, and Giorgio Chiellini, officially requesting immediate intervention against “continuous refereeing errors” in order to have a meeting with AIA and FIGC to “take every possible initiative to protect its rights, the economic damage suffered, also in consideration of its status as a listed company, sporting regularity, and the respect due to its fans.” Meanwhile, Rocchi promoted Colombo, agreeing with his decision in the disputed episode.

On Saturday evening, at the end of the match in Udine, the Biancocelesti club had already issued a statement after imposing a press blackout on its members: “We continue to note with growing bitterness a series of repeated and difficult to understand errors that are always to our disadvantage. Lazio demands respect, consistency in judgment, and greater attention.” Shortly afterwards, Lotito’s club posted a video on social media showing all the refereeing incidents that have gone against Sarri’s team in this championship. It is a veritable dossier illustrated with relevant images. It starts with the penalty denied in Como (first matchday): Castellanos was fouled by Perrone. Then, McKennie was not given a second yellow card for a foul on Guendouzi in the match against Juventus (eighth matchday). Then there was Pavlovic’s handball in the box that went unpunished in the match against Milan at San Siro (matchday 13). The red cards given to Zaccagni and Basic in Parma (matchday 15) were also targeted. Finally, there were the penalties not awarded against Cremonese (matchday 16) for fouls on Castellanos and Noslin. Finally, there was Davis’ handball that led to Udinese’s equalizer.

Tensions—  The refereeing issue has also sparked tensions within Lazio. At the end of Inter-Lazio on November 9, starting with Manganiello’s refereeing, Sarri said: “Given that the referee did not affect the result, Inter were stronger. But this match confirmed that the standard of Italian referees has become very low. Perhaps it is time to consider the idea of bringing in foreign referees for Serie A.“ The following day, the club issued a statement arguing that it is ”essential that the process of generational change in the refereeing profession is supported in a balanced way, promoting the training and development of young referees.” And a week ago, after the match against Cremonese, Sarri added: “I have nothing to say about the referee (Pairetto, ed.), the last time I spoke, the club issued a statement saying the opposite… The incidents? The situation is so clear…” Except for a new episode of damage that Lazio believes it suffered in the away match against Udinese. And the wind of protest is blowing strongly on social media, including among Lazio fans, who are convinced that behind it all there is a “plan” to penalize Sarri’s team.