“Everyone is wrong” – Serie A President reacts to Napoli star Victor Osimhen’s dismissal

The Nigeria international will certainly miss I Partenopei’s league clash at Genoa on Sunday and could be unavailable for the Juventus tie after the international break

President of the Italian Serie A Gabriele Gravina has refused to absolve Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Venezia midfielder Daan Heymans and referee Gianluca Aureliano of any wrongdoing regarding the red-card incidence involving the trio last weekend.

On matchday one of the new season, Italian referee Aureliano showed no mercy as he flashed Osimhen a straight red card midway through the first half of Napoli’s clash at the newly-promoted side.

Since then, the debate has raged on in Italy, with a school of thought suggesting Osimhen should have been awarded a penalty as Heymans tugged his shirt while Matteo Politano prepared to take a corner kick for Napoli.

However, the referee missed that incident but saw the Super Eagles striker’s flailing arm catch his opponent’s face and refused to warn the Nigerian with a yellow card.

Aureliano then wrote of the youngster’s violent conduct in his report, which formed the basis on which Osimhen was slammed with a two-match suspension.

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti quickly stated that the referee was correct with the decision while tongue-lashing Osimhen.

But Serie A President Gravina is convinced that all the three parties involved were wrong, with Osimhen bearing the most brunt because he retaliated. The top football administrator, however, wants everyone to move on from the ugly incident.

“Everyone is wrong, and Osimhen has been wrong first,” the 67-year-old told Corriere Dello Sport via Forzazzurri.

“So I don’t want to judge what our judges are doing right now; they are very careful professionals. Let’s try not to poison the wells from the first day; let’s enjoy this championship.”

Napoli have kicked off legal processes to have the ban reduced to just the Genoa game so that Osimhen could feature against Juventus on matchday three.

This post was last modified on August 29, 2021 2:55 pm

Imhons Erons

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  • I hope and believe that the Italian Referee is not a racist. I agree with the President Gravino that the three were wrong.
    Let the soccer gone please. Thanks

  • The truth is that it is oshimen way . The referee must have watch him over and over on this behavior hence the card . . Thank God it is not injury .
    A player that can score at wil should be careful of carrying injury .he can score 20 goals . Some player at their best can only score 6 or 7 goals per season eg ' Everton man so if such player go on injury for 20 games he would still score his normal 6. Or 7 goals for the season so oshimen shud try to avoid injury or getting unnecessary card from referee . This is a big lesson for him from the god . The god are not to blame.

  • The referee is in the same school as the referee that officiated Chelsea:Liverpool match. Too quick and in a hurry to take irreversible decision.

  • The decision of the referee is too harsh something triggered Victor to retaliate what the opponent did to him let them relax the punishment.
    1_H was red carded and sent off pit
    2_He was slammed two match ban
    I think they supposed to look into it

  • Victor should try very hard to copy from those successful (colored/black) players, their calmness, attitude, hardwork devoid of aggression. You might not totally rule out racism/bias in this competitive and meism world.
    He should learn to be careful and avoid any act of open display of aggression.

  • Yes I agreed with the serial A president, it only left with osihmen to be very careful because whatever any other nationals does if naija do same it becomes abominable and extra penalty always awarded .

  • Retaliation in football is straight just as handball on goal line that the referee deemed intentional. The young man should learn to control his anger...as danger man and goal poacher he should expect rough tackles But should always keep his cool to commit his marker...

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Imhons Erons

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