MILAN – Inter Milan’s pursuit of the Serie A title has been clouded by controversy following a 1-1 draw with Atalanta at the San Siro on Sunday, a result that has ignited a firestorm of debate over officiating decisions. The stalemate, secured by a late goal from Atalanta’s Krstovic after an earlier strike from Inter’s Esposito, has prompted a strong reaction from the Nerazzurri, leading to a self-imposed media blackout as the club privately expresses its discontent. The situation is further complicated by the potential for AC Milan to close the gap in the standings should they defeat Lazio on Monday evening.
The match itself was a tense affair, with Inter dominating much of the play and taking the lead through Esposito in the 26th minute. However, the late equalizer from Krstovic sparked immediate protests from the Inter bench, who felt that a foul should have been called on Atalanta’s Sulemana in the build-up to the goal. The incident escalated when Inter coach Cristian Chivu was shown a red card for vehemently contesting the decision with referee Manganiello. Adding to the frustration, Inter players also appealed for a penalty in the closing moments when Frattesi appeared to be brought down in the box, but their pleas were again waved away.
According to reports from TuttoSport, the Inter hierarchy held an emergency meeting after the final whistle, attended by Chivu and key members of the sporting staff including Ausilio, Baccin, and Ferri. The decision to implement a media silence was made following this meeting, a move signaling the depth of the club’s dissatisfaction. The two primary points of contention are the perceived foul by Sulemana on Dumfries and the non-awarded penalty for the challenge on Frattesi.
The controversy surrounding the Atalanta match comes on the heels of previous officiating decisions that have drawn the ire of Inter supporters. The club reportedly feels aggrieved by a similar penalty decision that went against them in a recent match against Magnani, where a foul by Darmian was not penalized. The consistency – or lack thereof – in these calls is at the heart of Inter’s frustration.
Further fueling the discontent is the appointment of VAR official Gariglio, who was previously removed from the Can (Commissione Arbitri Nazionale – the Italian Referee Designators) in 2023 due to technical reasons, only to be reinstated for this season. This has raised questions about the impartiality of the video review process.
The length of the VAR review for Krstovic’s goal, which Inter officials felt was excessively long, contrasted sharply with the swift dismissal of their penalty claim, adding to the sense of injustice. Reports suggest that representatives from the Can, Gervasoni and De Marco, who were present at the San Siro, privately agreed with Inter’s assessment that a penalty should have been awarded.
The situation is compounded by a previous incident in the recent derby against Milan, where Inter also felt a penalty should have been awarded for a potential handball by Ricci, a decision that was upheld by Rocchi. This pattern of unfavorable calls has created a growing sense of unease within the club and among its supporters.
The potential for AC Milan to reduce Inter’s lead to just five points with a win over Lazio adds another layer of pressure to the situation. A week ago, Inter held a comfortable ten-point advantage, but back-to-back setbacks – a loss to Milan and now a controversial draw with Atalanta – have significantly tightened the title race.
Inter’s decision to remain silent is a clear indication of their frustration and a signal to the league that they expect greater accountability from officiating crews. While the club has not publicly stated its intentions, the move suggests a desire to avoid further escalating the situation through public statements that could potentially lead to further sanctions.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Inter as they navigate a challenging schedule and attempt to maintain their position at the top of the Serie A table. Their next match is against Empoli on March 22nd, a fixture they will be expected to win comfortably. However, the lingering questions surrounding officiating and the pressure of a tightening title race will undoubtedly cast a shadow over their preparations.
For Inter fans, the hope is that the team can put the controversy behind them and focus on securing the championship. But the events at the San Siro have undoubtedly raised serious questions about the fairness and consistency of officiating in Serie A, and the league will be under pressure to address these concerns as the season reaches its climax.
Inter will be hoping for a more favorable outcome when they travel to Empoli on March 22nd (8:45 PM CET). The match will be a key test of their resilience and their ability to overcome adversity in the face of growing scrutiny.
