According to reports by Football Italia and Yardbarker, AS Roma are facing a potential suspension for striker Donyell Malen after he received a straight red card during a 0-0 draw away against Como on Sunday afternoon. The stalemate marked the first goalless draw in Serie A after five full rounds of fixtures.
The Giallorossi camp expressed clear annoyance over the decision, noting that Bologna’s Oussama El Azzouzi received only a yellow card for a very similar challenge on Lecce’s Konan Ndri earlier on Sunday.
Gasperini Criticizes VAR and Officiating
Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini voiced his frustrations after the match. While he expressed satisfaction that his team continued to push for a victory despite playing a man down, he strongly criticized the officiating and VAR intervention.
Gasperini argued that play should have been stopped prior to Malen’s challenge due to a foul on the Dutch forward by Como’s Jacobo Ramon, who had pulled his shirt. He further criticized the video assistant referee for judging the incident using a single freeze frame, stating that “football is not made up of still images, it is made up of actions.”
Comparing the Disciplinary Incidents
While Malen’s red card is reportedly unlikely to be rescinded because he lunged with both legs off the ground—a motion deemed reckless and dangerous—Gasperini insisted the striker had no intention of putting his opponent, Kaiki, in serious danger.
As noted by the Corriere dello Sport, Roma felt aggrieved by the inconsistent application of discipline across the league when comparing Malen’s challenge to El Azzouzi’s tackle on Ndri. Observers pointed out technical distinctions between the two plays: Malen’s leg was fully extended but he made minimal contact while attempting to play the ball, whereas El Azzouzi connected significantly higher up his opponent’s leg near knee height, yet escaped with only a caution.