NAPOLI fans were apparently not happy with the decision of the referee to send Victor Osimhen off in last night’s Serie A clash against Roma in Rome.
The Super Eagles striker was shown a second yellow card for a tackle in the 86th minute as the Serie A champions were beaten 2-0.
Osimhen’s dismissal by card-happy referee Andrea Colombo reduced Napoli to nine men as Matteo Politano had been sent off earlier in a game that saw 11 yellow cards and two red cards issued.
Napoli fans thought Colombo was too harsh on their top striker and expressed their displeasure on social media.
“It’s the ref show apparently,” wrote one Ort Jacob on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to a post on Napoli’s account announcing Osimhen’s dismissal.
“What an indecent refereeing performance,” wrote another fan simply identified as Emily.
Tony Davids was unsparing in his criticism of Colombo’s performance, writing: “I think this is the worst officiating I have seen in Serie A.”
Lasha Gegeshkori wrote: “The team of “butchers” (Roma) won the game today with the tremendous help of referees (if you can call them such).
“Italy does not have great attacking players today primarily because the officials allow such brutality against talented forwards on the field. So sad.”
Stefano Urzo however admitted that Osimhen and his teammates should have conducted themselves better, although he still felt the refereeing was a ‘problem’.
“Everyone blaming the refereeing without understanding that we played a practically empty game,” Urzo posted.
“Players who get sent off for senseless and useless reactions, players without desire or determination. The problem, in addition to the referee, is also the players.”
Another fan, simply identified as Hihifro, felt the referee was biased towards Roma.
“I mean this red was not a red omg (oh my God). He didn’t give a second yellow to (Roma’s) Cristante after doing a way worse foul.”
Pandora was straight about what should be done to Colombo, writing “The referee should be arrested”, while one Vincenzo Lombardi unleashed unprintable expletives when describing the referee, even wishing him misfortune.
Roma had sat back and absorbed Napoli pressure until Politano’s 66th minute dismissal and went on the attack afterwards, netting the opening goal 10 minutes later.
The hosts scored their second in added time through Romelu Lukaku to climb above Napoli to sixth in the table.
