In recent days, a video from an Italian Serie A match has ignited a firestorm of comments and discussions. The cameras strategically positioned in the tunnel leading to the pitch captured an unexpected incident involving the league’s referee, Luca Sacchi, and his assistant, Francesca Di Monte. This surprising behavior by the referee has already piqued the interest of the Italian Football Association.
On October 6, the Italian Serie A witnessed a match between Lecce and Sassuolo that concluded with a 1:1 score. Normally, this match might have gone under the radar in the soccer community, but it was the conduct of the main referee, Luca Sacchi, that stole the spotlight.
The incident unfolded in the stadium tunnel as both teams were getting ready to step onto the field. Positioned at the front of the line, Sacchi extended his hand to greet Gian Marco Ferrari, the captain of Sassuolo, who stood to his left. However, things took an unexpected turn when Sacchi turned to his right to greet Gabriel Strefezza, the captain of Lecce.
What followed was a moment that the media worldwide can’t stop talking about. Francesca Di Monte, Sacchi’s assistant, was the closest person to him, and she reached out to shake his hand when she saw his gesture. However, Sacchi ignored her, retracting his hand and extending it to Lecce’s captain instead.
The video of this incident has been circulating on the internet, and it appears that Sacchi’s response took his assistant by surprise. Di Monte raised her hands in a questioning manner and shook her head in disbelief. In just moments, the referees and players were making their way onto the stadium field.
The consequences for Sacchi, who seemed to have fumbled this situation, could be significant. Reports from Italian media indicate that he will face suspension and won’t be officiating the upcoming Serie A matches. The Italian Referee Association (AIA) commented on the matter, clarifying that this was a result of pre-match stress and was not an indication of sexism, despite accusations from some observers.
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The AIA stressed, “We must dismiss any claims of sexism. We view this as an unintentional and misinterpreted gesture. It’s surprising to even consider sexism in an organization committed to breaking down gender-related barriers.”
This incident involving the Italian referee has sparked a divided response from internet users, with extreme opinions surfacing. Notable Italian celebrity Melissa Satta, a television presenter and the partner of tennis player Matteo Berrettini, called for Sacchi’s permanent disqualification on her social media.
However, some voices suggest that Sacchi may not bear the brunt of the blame. The British publication, “Mirror,” points out that a handshake between match officials isn’t a formal part of the accepted protocol, which is evident from the fact that the main referee didn’t shake hands with one of his assistants.
The key figures involved have also weighed in on the peculiar incident. Sacchi mentioned that he and Di Monte shared a laugh about the whole situation on the way back from the match. Di Monte herself expressed no regret about her colleague’s actions; in fact, she defended him, saying, “I’m sorry that this misunderstanding has been blown out of proportion,” in her statements to the Italian media.
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