News Focus
- Alberto Grassi banned for four matches following referee incident
- Chaos erupted during Cremonese’s 4-1 defeat to Como
- Blasphemous language and physical contact with official cited
- Teammates Milan Djuric and David Okereke also receive suspensions
- Several other Serie A players handed match bans that may carry over
US Cremonese midfielder Alberto Grassi has been hit with a severe four-match suspension after he confronted referee Fabio Maresca during his side’s stormy 4-1 loss to Como. The ban effectively ends his season.
The hosts were furious when the official awarded a soft penalty to Como. Cremonese were fighting to avoid the drop, and the decision sparked chaos on the touchline and pitch.
Grassi used a blasphemous phrase, which carries severe weight in Italy, before moving towards Maresca in a threatening manner and pushing him lightly. The referee showed him a straight red card.
Two other Cremonese players also saw red. Milan Djuric, who was warming up at the time, earned a two-match ban for insulting officials. David Okereke received a one-game suspension after he accosted an assistant referee while also preparing to enter the pitch.
The Lega Serie A disciplinary panel also punished Udinese defender Christian Kabasele with a two-match ban. He was sent off for kicking out at Rasmus Hojlund during an off-the-ball incident in the clash with Napoli.
Shorter bans were handed to five other players. Nicolas Valentini of Hellas Verona, Sascha Britschgi at Parma, Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ylber Ramadani from Lecce, and a further Cremonese star all received one-match suspensions. The Lega confirmed these punishments will roll over into the next campaign if they cannot be served this term.