Roma’s Long-Standing Conflict with Referee Rosetti

The current friction between AS Roma and UEFA referee chief Roberto Rosetti has deep roots, stretching back to his days as a Serie A official. This ongoing tension has been marked by several controversial incidents involving Roma’s star players and key matches.

The conflict’s origins can be traced to the 2002-03 season during a crucial Coppa Italia final against AC Milan. Rosetti’s decisions to dismiss both Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano for dissent sparked outrage, with Cassano’s infamous ‘horns’ gesture towards the referee becoming a defining moment.

In subsequent years, Roma continued to clash with Rosetti. Notable incidents include Simone Perrotta’s red card in the 2007 Supercoppa Italiana and a contentious penalty awarded to Milan in a match two years later. The referee’s exchange with Daniele De Rossi following the latter incident further strained relations.

A particularly controversial moment occurred in February 2008 during a pivotal Serie A match against Inter Milan. Rosetti’s decision to send off Philippe Mexes while Roma led 1-0 was met with fierce criticism from Totti, who accused the referee of ruining the game.

These historical grievances provide context for the recent criticism from Roma’s current coach, Claudio Ranieri, regarding Rosetti’s role in appointing referees for UEFA competitions. The ongoing tension highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between clubs and officiating bodies in professional football.