Roma’s chase for a Champions League place has been complicated by Donyell Malen’s dismissal at Como, with the Dutch forward now set to miss Saturday’s home meeting with Genoa after a controversial episode at the Sinigaglia.
Referee Fabbri showed Malen a red card following the striker’s foul, but the sequence had already featured several apparent infringements by Como defender Ramos. Malen was repeatedly held as he tried to break forward, with his shirt visibly pulled, yet no foul was given before the Roma player made his challenge.
The decision had a major bearing on a match between two sides competing near the European places. Roma were left to deal with the immediate disadvantage in Como, while the consequences will now extend into the next round of Serie A fixtures.
A suspension at a difficult point in Roma’s week
Malen’s dismissal brings an automatic sporting judge suspension, meaning Gian Piero Gasperini will not have his central attacking option available against Genoa at the Olimpico next Saturday.
That league fixture follows another demanding night in the capital, with Roma due to face Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Wednesday evening. The Como incident has therefore turned one disputed refereeing call into a selection problem across a decisive week for the club’s domestic and European ambitions.
