Derby Fallout: Major Bans Hit Juventus and Inter After Italy’s Derby Clash
17 February 2026
Derby Fallout and Major Sanctions
Following matchday 25, the Italian league's disciplinary judge issued a string of stern sanctions to officials and players involved in the Derby d'Italia between Juventus and Inter.
Gerardo Mastandria, assisted by Stefania Genisio and Carlo Moriti from the referees' association, announced the measures.
The penalties targeted Juventus' two top officials, Giorgio Chiellini and Damian Comoli, suspending them from sports activities for varying periods because of the Derby's events against Inter.
Chiellini’s ban runs through February 27, while Comoli faces a March 31, 2026 ban and a €15,000 fine.
The disciplinary body found Comoli aggressive and intimidating toward the match official in the tunnel after halftime, with attempts to engage physically; the coach and other staff intervened, and he shouted insults at the referee.
Chiellini was sanctioned for a forceful, improper reaction to the referee's decisions in the tunnel and for directing abusive remarks toward the officiating crew.
In addition, Pierre Kalulu, Juventus defender, was banned for one match after two yellow cards, with Alvaro Morata and Adrien Rabiot also suspended for one game after second cautions.
Separately, six not-off players were suspended for one match for accumulating five yellow cards: Jan Daniel Akpa Akpro (Hellas Verona), Nicolò Barella (Inter), Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter), Alessandro Sertati (Parma), Rolando Mandragora (Fiorentina), Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo).
The judge also fined Milan's sporting director, Igli Tari, €10,000 for entering the field and protesting the referees' decisions in an aggressive manner.
Punchlines: If penalties paid salaries, these bans would fund the league for a decade. In football, the tunnel is where tempers cool down—apparently only the officials stay warm.
