The tension between Roma and AIA, Italy’s refereeing association, has only escalated in recent weeks following the controversial episodes in the scoreless draw at the Olimpico between Roma and Genoa on February 5th.
According to Alessandro Austini of Il Tempo, Roma’s recently employed former referee Gianpaolo Calvarese confronted the match official of Roma-Genoa, Rosario Abisso, after the final whistle and asked clarifications regarding Zaniolo’s red card.
However, this confrontation was not supposed to take place legally given Calavarese’s status as an external consultant rather than a federal employee of the FIGC.
Furthermore, Abisso himself denounced Calvarese to the authorities and related the confrontation to the FIGC.
As a result, the FIGC have opened an investigation against Roma and will demand further clarifications regarding Calvarese’s role within the club and his presence in the match officials’ dressing room as it is off-limits to anyone from outside except for the club’s employee responsible for referee relations (Vito Scala).
The FIGC will likely schedule several hearings and the Giallorossi may face fines as well as suspensions for members of the club’s management.
