Refereeing Controversies Continue To Plague Lazio's Season

Lazio’s frustrations with refereeing decisions have grown exponentially this season, with a series of questionable calls and controversies leaving fans and the club feeling unjustly treated. After the debacle against Juventus in Turin, many hoped that the streak of disputed incidents would end. However, recent matches have added more contentious moments to an already lengthy list of grievances. Here's a recap of the most debated episodes from Lazio's season so far.  

---

Lazio vs. Venezia

The opening match of the season featured a controversial moment when Nicolò Rovella was denied a potential goal. In the 18th minute, Castellanos stole the ball from Duncan and set up Rovella for a clear scoring opportunity. However, referee Tremolada blew the whistle for an alleged foul, halting the play prematurely. The decision not to let the action continue and review it via VAR later raised significant criticism.  

---

Udinese vs. Lazio

The match in Udine was marred by confusion over an offside decision. Payero appeared to be offside when receiving Thauvin’s pass, leading the linesman to raise his flag. Despite this, referee Doveri allowed play to continue, resulting in a goal by Lucca. VAR later deemed the play legitimate, but the linesman’s initial signal caused Lazio’s defense to hesitate, ultimately impacting the game.  

---

Lazio vs. Milan 

Lazio’s clash with Milan featured two missed handball penalties within three minutes. First, Terracciano handled the ball following a deflection, and shortly after, Musah made contact with his arm. Referee Massa deemed both incidents unintentional, and VAR upheld his decisions, sparking protests from Lazio over inconsistent interpretations compared to similar situations elsewhere.  

---

Fiorentina vs. Lazio

A series of controversial calls defined Lazio’s defeat at the Stadio Franchi. Dodò’s handball in the penalty area went unnoticed, and a subsequent foul by the same player on Patric was overlooked. Later, VAR intervened to award Fiorentina a penalty for a foul by Nuno Tavares on Dodò, even though the contact occurred after the ball had been played. The rapid decision-making by VAR contrasted sharply with earlier moments in the match, leaving many questioning the consistency.  

---

Lazio vs. Empoli  

In a match against Empoli, Lazio were denied a numerical advantage when Pezzella, already on a yellow card, committed a reckless foul on Dia in the second half. Referee Ayroldi awarded a penalty but failed to issue the second yellow, allowing Empoli to retain 11 players. Pezzella was substituted shortly after to avoid further disciplinary risks.  

---

Juventus vs. Lazio

The match in Turin saw a series of questionable decisions. Douglas Luiz escaped punishment for a punch to Patric’s back, and a dangerous challenge on Rovella resulted only in a yellow card. Meanwhile, Romagnoli was sent off following a VAR review for a foul initially deemed non-existent by the referee. Lazio were left feeling that key moments of the match were mishandled, favoring their opponents.  

---

Como vs. Lazio

In an away game against Como, referee Pairetto issued two questionable yellow cards to Nuno Tavares, leading to his expulsion. Lazio were also awarded a penalty after VAR intervention, but the overall officiating left the game unnecessarily tense.  

---

Lazio vs. Cagliari

A chaotic match against Cagliari saw Mina escape a red card for a last-man foul on Isaksen, despite clear evidence of denial of a scoring opportunity. Later, Mina committed several more fouls without receiving a second yellow, only to eventually earn a red for another reckless challenge. Meanwhile, a penalty awarded to Lazio caused further debate, with the club once again feeling unfairly scrutinized.  

---

Monza vs. Lazio

Pedro Pereira’s repeated fouls in a match against Monza highlighted inconsistency in issuing cards. Despite committing three yellow-card-worthy infractions after his initial caution, Pereira avoided a second yellow, leaving Lazio incensed.  

---

Parma vs. Lazio

Most recently, Lazio faced two key VAR interventions in their match against Parma. Rovella’s stunning goal was disallowed for an alleged foul earlier in the play, with VAR making a swift judgment on a contested touch. Later, a penalty initially awarded for a foul on Zaccagni was overturned after VAR deemed the contact insufficient. The inconsistencies in applying VAR regulations reignited frustrations among Lazio supporters.  

---

The accumulation of these incidents has left Lazio questioning the impartiality and consistency of officiating this season. While errors are part of the game, the recurring nature of controversial decisions against the Biancoceleste have prompted calls for greater scrutiny and transparency in refereeing standards. As the season progresses, Lazio will hope for fairer treatment to prevent these controversies from overshadowing their performances on the pitch.