
Malen sent off in Como clash as Roma protests disputed dismissal
Donyell Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute of Roma's match at Como after referee Fabbri deemed his challenge on Kaiki dangerously played. The Roma forward, pressured by two Como defenders, slid in to contest the ball in what he and the Roma bench felt was a legitimate tackle. Malen protested to fourth official Sozza, saying: "It's always a foul first, if you whistle the foul first I don't get sent off." Arbitral expert Luca Marelli offered a contrasting assessment of the red card. He acknowledged that Malen made contact with the ball using the inside of his right foot but criticised the manner of the challenge: "He came in badly, with his foot raised above the ankle and his knee extended, at speed. A genuinely dangerous intervention and the red card was correct." Roma and manager Bobby lodged strong protests with the fourth official over the decision.






