Roma Fume Over Malen Red Card as El Azzouzi Escape Fuels Inconsistency Debate

FolioPitch.com – 12 October 2026 | Roma annoyed by Malen red after seeing El Azzouzi cautioned for a similar challenge has become the latest flashpoint in Serie A’s ongoing debate over refereeing consistency. The Giallorossi were left seething after Donyell Malen was shown a straight red card during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Como, only to watch Bologna’s Oussama El Azzouzi receive just a yellow for a comparable offence later in the day. The contrasting decisions have reignited frustrations at Trigoria, with club officials and supporters alike questioning why their player was punished so severely while a similar challenge elsewhere warranted only a booking.

The incident occurred at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium when Malen lunged into a challenge on Como’s Kaiki. Referee Michael Fabbri did not hesitate, brandishing a straight red for what he deemed a reckless and dangerous tackle. The Dutch forward, who had been lively in an otherwise cagey affair, was visibly distraught as he left the pitch. His dismissal reduced Roma to ten men for the closing stages, though they held on for a hard-fought goalless draw – the first 0-0 in Serie A after five full rounds of fixtures without a stalemate.

Roma annoyed by Malen red after seeing El Azzouzi cautioned for a similar challenge was a sentiment echoed by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in his post-match press conference. Gasperini expressed pride in his side’s resilience but could not hide his frustration with the officiating. He argued that play should have been stopped before the incident, pointing to a foul on Malen by Jacobo Ramon, who had tugged the Dutchman’s shirt. Furthermore, he criticised the VAR’s intervention, claiming that a freeze-frame review distorted the reality of a dynamic game. “Football is not made up of still images, it is made up of actions,” Gasperini said, highlighting the absurdity of judging a split-second challenge through a static lens.

While Roma acknowledged that Malen’s tackle – with both legs off the ground – would likely be deemed reckless, they insist there was no malicious intent. The forward made a genuine attempt to play the ball and barely made contact with his opponent. That argument gained traction when, just hours later, Bologna’s El Azzouzi escaped with only a yellow card for a challenge on Lecce’s Konan Ndri. The differences, as noted by Corriere dello Sport, were stark: Malen’s leg was firm and at full stretch, whereas El Azzouzi did not lunge with his leg fully tensed. More damningly, El Azzouzi connected significantly higher up his opponent’s leg, almost at knee height, while Malen’s contact was minimal.

The disparity has left Roma feeling unfairly targeted. The club believes that if Malen’s challenge warranted a red, then El Azzouzi’s should have been met with the same punishment. Instead, the Bologna midfielder continued without further sanction, deepening the sense of injustice in the Italian capital. Roma annoyed by Malen red after seeing El Azzouzi cautioned for a similar challenge is not merely a grievance – it is a demand for accountability from Serie A’s refereeing body.

This is not the first time this season that Roma have found themselves at the centre of a disciplinary controversy. Gasperini’s men have already had to navigate several contentious decisions, and the latest episode threatens to overshadow their solid start to the campaign. With Malen now facing a suspension, Roma will be without a key attacking outlet for their next fixture, a blow that could have significant implications in a tightly contested race for European places.

The broader issue, however, extends beyond Roma. Serie A has long grappled with accusations of inconsistent refereeing, and the Malen-El Azzouzi contrast provides fresh ammunition for critics. The league’s reputation for defensive rigour is well-earned, but when similar tackles yield different outcomes, it undermines the credibility of the officiating. VAR was introduced to reduce errors, yet its application – particularly the use of freeze frames – continues to spark debate. Gasperini’s plea for a more holistic interpretation of live action resonates with many who feel the technology is being used to penalise rather than clarify.

Roma annoyed by Malen red after seeing El Azzouzi cautioned for a similar challenge will likely dominate headlines in the coming days. The club may consider an appeal, though the odds of overturning the red card appear slim given the lunging nature of the tackle. Instead, Roma’s hierarchy may push for a broader review of how such incidents are adjudicated, hoping to prevent future discrepancies. For now, Gasperini must rally his squad and prepare for life without Malen, while the club’s fans vent their frustration at what they perceive as a two-tier system of justice.

In conclusion, the red card shown to Donyell Malen has ignited a fierce debate about consistency in Serie A. Roma annoyed by Malen red after seeing El Azzouzi cautioned for a similar challenge is a frustration that cuts to the heart of the league’s integrity. Until referees and VAR officials can apply the same standards to identical challenges, clubs will continue to feel aggrieved, and the beautiful game will be tarnished by avoidable controversy. Roma’s anger is justified, and their call for fairness deserves to be heard.