Why Roma star Malen saw red against Como and what he said to the fourth official

Roma forward Donyell Malen was shown a straight red card in the 53rd minute of a Serie A away match against Como. Referee Michael Fabbri sent Malen off for a reckless, studs-up challenge on Jacobo Ramon after the two players battled for possession. As he walked off the pitch, Malen and the Roma bench repeatedly protested to the fourth official, arguing, "It's always foul before."

Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini also protested the decision from the touchline, maintaining that Ramon had fouled Malen earlier in the sequence. DAZN referee expert Luca Marelli affirmed that the straight red was the correct call. Minutes after the dismissal, referee Fabbri suffered an injury and was replaced by fourth official Simone Sozza, as ten-man Roma held on for a 0-0 draw.