Como and Roma found their sixth-round Serie A meeting at the Stadio Sinigaglia interrupted by an unusual change in the middle of the contest, with referee Michael Fabbri unable to continue after appearing to suffer a muscular problem. The match resumed under Simone Sozza, with the score still goalless and both benches already frustrated by a series of disputed decisions.
The coach and the club
Roma’s anger had centred on the 53rd-minute dismissal of Malen. Gasperini, Paulo Dybala and the visiting side argued that a yellow card would have been sufficient, particularly as they believed Ramon’s earlier foul on the Dutch player had gone unpunished.
Como’s bench had its own complaint from the first half. The home side wanted Wesley sent off after a heavy challenge on Diao, who was breaking towards goal shortly before the interval. Diao was instead booked for protesting.
A change of referee at the Sinigaglia
- Malen was shown a red card in the 53rd minute, prompting strong objections from Roma.
- Fourteen minutes later, Fabbri required treatment on the pitch after what appeared to be a muscle issue, possibly involving his calf.
- He walked to the touchline but could not complete the game, and fourth official Sozza took over the whistle.
- After a stoppage of around three minutes, play restarted in the 71st minute with the match at 0-0.
The incident did not appear serious for Fabbri, the Ravenna official, but it added another layer to an afternoon already shaped by disputed calls. Sozza, from the Seregno section, assumed control for the closing phase as Como and Roma continued a tense match in which the referee had become part of the story.
