Overview
- Referee Maurizio Mariani faced criticism for inconsistent officiating during the Coppa Italia final, including controversial carding decisions.
- Bologna defender Beukema's elbow on Milan's Gabbia, widely seen as a red-card offense, was only penalized with a yellow card, drawing scrutiny.
- VAR official Meraviglia did not call for an On Field Review (OFR) on Beukema's foul, despite protocols allowing intervention for clear violent conduct.
- The Italian Referees Association (AIA) has reiterated that violent conduct should be punished regardless of intensity, raising questions about enforcement.
- Bologna’s victory, their first major trophy in 51 years, has been overshadowed by the broader debate on officiating standards in Italian football.