Turin’s Sunday draw has followed Juventus into the new week, with Luciano Spalletti handed a one-match touchline ban after his confrontation with Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane at full time. The Serie A disciplinary ruling also removes Roma striker Donyell Malen from this weekend’s programme after his dismissal against Como.
Key takeaways
- Spalletti will be absent when Juventus host Lazio on Sunday.
- Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane has also received a one-game suspension and will miss Monday’s visit to Monza.
- The two managers were sent off after the 1-1 match in Cagliari following a heated post-match exchange.
- Roma’s Donyell Malen has been banned for one game after seeing red in the goalless draw with Como.
- Malen, who has six league goals in six appearances, will miss Genoa’s visit to Rome on Saturday.
A handshake that spilled beyond the final whistle
The incident came as Spalletti and Pisacane met for the customary handshake after Juventus and Cagliari shared a point on Sunday. What should have been a brief exchange became strained: Spalletti gripped Pisacane’s hand firmly, while the Cagliari manager took hold of Spalletti’s other arm. Words were exchanged before members of the staffs separated them.
Both coaches were shown straight red cards. The league judge ruled that Spalletti had taken a provocative stance towards the opposing manager, causing tension among the two benches. Pisacane’s punishment was imposed for responding to that provocation and helping to prolong the confrontation between the technical areas.
Spalletti played down the episode afterwards. He said that nothing had really happened, explaining that he had complimented Pisacane before adding that he was also good at running down the clock. Pisacane asked him what time he meant, Spalletti said, and the exchange continued briefly without anybody being harmed.
Malen’s scoring start interrupted
In Rome, Malen’s prolific opening to the Serie A season has been checked by a separate disciplinary decision. The Roma forward was dismissed during Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Como for a challenge on defender Kaiki.
The offence was judged serious, but not violent conduct. The ruling concluded that Malen had been attempting to win the ball, allowing him to avoid a two-match ban. His one-game suspension nevertheless rules him out of Saturday’s home fixture against Genoa.
With six goals from six Serie A matches, Malen remains the division’s leading scorer, but Roma will have to navigate the next stop in their domestic campaign without the Dutch forward.
