VAR irritates AC Milan fans with inconsistent red card decisions

ROME, ITALY – MAY 18: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma scores his team’s first goal past Mike Maignan of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on May 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Milan fans are fuming over Santiago Gimenez’s red card, as the same VAR official judged a similar incident in the previous match against Bologna differently.

Milan lost 3-1 against Roma on Sunday, meaning they won’t be playing in any European competition next season.

Rossoneri star striker Gimenez received a red card after a VAR check for elbowing Gianluca Mancini in the chest. Sergio Conceiçao and fans on social media complained about the decision.

Milan and their fans are particularly irritated because they saw a similar incident in the Coppa Italia Final judged differently.

Who was the VAR referee in Roma vs Milan

Earlier last week, Bologna’s Sam Beukema elbowed Milan defender Matteo Gabbia, but didn’t face any consequence, while Gimenez received his marching orders last night.

To make matters worse, Paolo Mazzoleni was the VAR assistant in the Coppa Italia Final last week and the VAR referee last night.

As reported by Gazzetta, several Milan fans showed their frustration on social media in Italy, and the same happened among the English-speaking Rossoneri supporters who voiced their disappointment on X.

All I’m saying is Beukema did not get sent off in the Coppa Italia final for elbowing Gabbia the same way Gimenez elbowed Mancini. Beukema wasn’t sent off, Gimenez is. What’s the difference? The colour of the jersey? Both are red cards. If they aren’t, you have a referee problem.

— Anthony Lopopolo (@sportscaddy) May 18, 2025

Beukema did same on Gabbia and nothing was done lol. 😹😹😹😹

— Enigma 🐝 (@Dayveedbee) May 18, 2025

🤦‍♂️ Refereeing inconsistency demonstrated in Beukema and Gimenez incidents – videohttps://t.co/JZpWTkUtys #SempreMilan

— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) May 18, 2025

Wait…. Mazzoleni was the Assistant VAR ref on Wed. who did NOT card Bologna’s Beukema for his elbow on Milan’s Gabbia

Tonight, he is the Head VAR ref, and DID card Gimenez’s elbow on Mancini?

How do they expect us NOT to link this inconsistency? https://t.co/PlCJqoX7Rv pic.twitter.com/OVG5E8GYdc

— Milan Obsession (@milanobsession) May 18, 2025

Beukema made a fist and his face showed intent. He did not hide it well at all. Gabbia just didn’t fling himself to the ground like a diva, that’s the difference.

And yeah, Santi is young, this is a hard lesson that everyone is learning with him this time, but no excuse for refs

— Milan Obsession (@milanobsession) May 18, 2025

They can send santi off today but not Beukema in the final. Justice will never be served no matter how strong the protests, they do what they want, when they want and we take it

— Agnazio Ibate (@agnazio) May 18, 2025