Bologna complain ‘referee too permissive’ with Roma in Europa League R16 fight

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Santiago Castro of Bologna reacts throughout the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Spherical of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)

Bologna have been crucial of the refereeing of their 1-1 Europa League draw with Roma, as coach Vincenzo Italiano and Santiago Castro claimed there was a foul within the build-up to the equaliser.

This may increasingly have been an all-Italian derby on the Stadio Dall’Ara, nevertheless it was nonetheless a UEFA fixture, so the referee was Sven Jablonski of Germany, with Bastian Dankert because the VAR.

Their method to officiating was completely different to what the Rossoblu have been accustomed to, and this was mirrored within the Lorenzo Pellegrini purpose.

Bologna protest at UEFA refereeing

“Remo Freuler was on the ball, I don’t know what depth the contact was from Donyell Malen, however the referee may’ve given a foul there,” stated Italiano in his press convention.

“The referee is German and maybe he’s used to doing issues this manner. He was too permissive total, particularly with Evan Ndicka, who restricted Castro by pulling his shirt, pushing and holding his arm.

“If he had been booked, then maybe it will’ve allowed Castro a bit extra freedom to really play.”

There was certainly a protracted VAR test after the Pellegrini equaliser earlier than the go-ahead was given to permit the purpose, as Malen had battled with defenders to supply the help.

Federico Bernardeschi had opened the scoring for the hosts with a curling effort on the daybreak of the second half.

“I believe we had a terrific efficiency, took the lead and will’ve stored maintain of that,” Castro informed reporters in his press convention.

“We are able to say the referee didn’t do effectively for us after our purpose. I don’t assume it’s doable that they’d 4 or 5 fouls on me and no playing cards, however that is soccer and that’s the way it works in Europe.”

It’s subsequently all to play for within the second leg on the Stadio Olimpico subsequent Thursday night.

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