The Biancocelesti club takes a hard line after Davis’s goal was allowed against Udinese: a letter to President Simonelli requesting a meeting with the AIA and FIGC. But Rocchi says referee Colombo was right

Lazio is furious with the referees following Colombo’s officiating on Saturday in Udine. Specifically, over an unpenalized handball by Davis in the play 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 League President Ezio Simonelli and the Serie A representatives on the FIGC Council—Giuseppe Marotta, Stefano Campoccia, and Giorgio Chiellini—to officially request immediate intervention against the “continuous refereeing errors” to arrange a meeting with the AIA and FIGC, in order to “take every permissible measure to protect its rights, address the economic damages suffered—also in light of its status as a publicly traded company—ensure sporting integrity, and uphold the respect due to its fans.” Meanwhile, Rocchi has backed Colombo, agreeing with his decision regarding the disputed incident.

On Saturday evening, following the match in Udine, the Biancocelesti club had already issued a statement after imposing a media blackout on its players: “We continue to note with growing bitterness a series of errors consistently against us—repeated and difficult to comprehend. Lazio demands respect, consistency in judgment, and greater attention.” Shortly after, Lotito’s club posted a video on social media featuring all the refereeing incidents that went against Sarri’s team this season. A veritable dossier illustrated with the relevant footage. It starts with the penalty denied in Como (Matchday 1): Castellanos fouled by Perrone. Then, the failure to issue a second yellow card to McKennie for a foul on Guendouzi in the match against Juventus (Matchday 8). Then there was Pavlovic’s handball in the box that went unpunished in the San Siro clash against Milan (Matchday 13). Also under scrutiny were the red cards shown to Zaccagni and Basic in Parma (Matchday 15). Finally, the penalties not awarded against Cremonese (Matchday 16) for fouls on Castellanos and Noslin. With a final focus on Davis’s handball that led to Udinese’s equalizing goal.

tensions—  The refereeing issue has also sparked tensions within Lazio. Following the Inter-Lazio match on November 9, referring to Manganiello’s officiating, Sarri had said: “Given that the referee did not influence the result, Inter were the stronger side. But this match confirmed that the standard of Italian referees has dropped significantly. Perhaps it’s time to consider bringing in foreign referees for Serie A.” The following day, the club issued a statement emphasizing that it is “essential for the generational transition among referees to be managed with balance, prioritizing 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 said the opposite in a statement… The incidents? The situation is so clear…” Except for a new round of damage that Lazio believes it suffered even in the away match against Udinese. And the wind of protest is blowing strongly on social media, fueled by Lazio fans who are convinced that behind it all lies “a plan” to penalize Sarri’s team.