The Italian Referees Association (AIA) apologizes to AC Milan after referee Marco Serra made a mistake when Milan were beaten by Spezia 1-2 at the San Siro in Serie A Italian League, Monday (17/1) evening local time.
Football Italia Quoting La Gazzetta dello Sport, AIA has apologized to AC Milan and promised referee Serra would be banned from taking charge of the match for a long time.
Having taken the lead through Rafael Leao’s goal in the first half, Milan fell 1-2 to Spezia after the visitors scored through Kevin Agudelo (64′) and Emmanuel Quartsin Gyasi at 90+6′.
Before Spezia’s winning goal, controversy ensued when injury time The second half lasted two minutes. Referee Serra disallowed Junior Messias’ goal and instead awarded Milan a free-kick after Simone Bastoni’s Ante Rebic had been brought down before a wild ball headed towards Messias.
In the replay, referee Serra blew the whistle before Messias kicked off or right after Rebic was fouled. But the 39-year-old referee was deemed wrong for not giving advantage play to Milan.
Unfortunately for Milan, Spezia scored the winning goal four minutes after the controversy through Gyasi. I Rossoneri also failed to shift Inter Milan from the top of the Italian League standings.
Referee Serra himself has apologized to the AC Milan players on the pitch. Serra also apologized to Milan coach Stefano Pioli.
“I tried to calm the players, but I failed, Spezia’s winning goal was proof. We know this is unfair, but we also have to blame ourselves, along with the referee. The referee apologized, although maybe it wasn’t a mistake. It’s a pity,” said Pioli .
Pioli thinks Milan should be able to win without involving controversy. Moreover, the hosts had many opportunities, including Theo Hernandez’s missed penalty in the first half.
Meanwhile the AIA will most likely penalize Serra by more than two matches.
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