Milan-Lecce, Sticchi Damiani leaves the stands furious after ironically applauding the referee: here’s what happened

The president of Lecce, Saverio Sticchi Damianileft the San Siro authority stand half an hour before the end of the match against Milan. After having ironically (and blatantly) applauded thereferee Massimi. What happened? Let’s reconstruct the episode.

What sent the Giallorossi owner into a rage was the action that preceded the Rossoneri’s 3-0 goal scored in the 57th minute by Rafa Leao. In fact, before the winning counterattack of Pioli’s team, the Apulians had constructed a dangerous action which was stopped by Theo Hernandez. Let’s analyze it.

Almqvist, launched towards the net, cuts across the Rossoneri half of the field, moving dangerously towards Maignan. The French winger, thanks to his speed, manages to reach him in the penalty area before the attacker kicks, stopping him by opposing him with his body. And with his right elbow too wide, according to the Lecce bench. Almqvist, in fact, remained on the ground with his hands on his face after the contact: due to the first blow he received and because the opponent – involuntarily – also hit him in the face with his knee, once he resumed the run.

In the VAR room it was considered that the contact was not sufficient to award a penalty kick to the Apulians and referee Massimi, after the communication received via headset, validated the goal. Sticchi Damiani at that point, together with other Lecce managers, stood up and let out an ironic applause aimed at the refereeing team. Before leaving San Siro visibly annoyed.