Inter Milan furious after Atalanta draw as refereeing controversy explodes

Nerazzurri protest decisions and choose media silence

Anger and frustration are boiling over at Inter Milan following the controversial 1–1 draw against Atalanta, a match overshadowed by disputed refereeing decisions in the final minutes.

For many inside the Inter Milan camp, the incidents in this match are just the latest chapter in a long list of controversies that have surrounded the club over the past year.

Growing frustration inside Inter Milan

The atmosphere quickly became tense inside the San Siro dressing rooms after the final whistle. 

Club executives Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio went down to the tunnel area and reportedly requested a respectful discussion with the refereeing team.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Fcinter1908, Inter Milan officials already felt a sense of hostility in recent weeks, particularly after the controversy involving Alessandro Bastoni, who was injured in the match and supported by the club’s ultras in the Curva Nord.

“Someone wants to make us pay,” one voice inside the club reportedly whispered after the game.

Players confront the referee

The tension reached its peak immediately after the final whistle from referee Gianluca Manganiello.

According to Il Giorno, several Inter Milan players including Nicolò Barella, Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij approached the referee to demand explanations about the controversial calls.

A two-hour meeting then took place in the dressing room involving Marotta, Ausilio, vice-director Dario Baccin, club manager Riccardo Ferri and head coach Cristian Chivu.

At the end of the meeting, the club decided on a complete media blackout. No players, coaches or officials spoke to the press.

The two key incidents

Inter Milan’s anger is largely focused on two episodes in the closing stages of the match.

First, Atalanta’s equaliser by Nikola Krstovic was allowed to stand despite protests that Ibrahim Sulemana had pushed Dumfries in the build-up.

Later, with the score at 1–1, Inter Milan appealed for a penalty when Davide Frattesi was caught by Giorgio Scalvini inside the penalty area. Neither the referee nor VAR intervened.

These incidents came just days after another controversial moment in the derby, when Inter Milan felt a handball by Samuele Ricci should have resulted in a penalty.

Inter Milan let the images speak

According to Matteo Barzaghi of Sky Sport, the club decided not to publicly escalate the situation but instead allow the footage to speak for itself.

“The feeling inside Inter Milan is that the images say everything,” Barzaghi reported.

From the club’s perspective, Dumfries was in control of the ball in a defensive situation and should have been protected after being pushed by Sulemana. Meanwhile, Inter Milan believe both the foul on Frattesi and another challenge involving Dumfries should have resulted in penalties.

Rather than protest in front of television cameras, Inter Milan chose to present their concerns privately to the refereeing authorities. 

Refereeing official Andrea Gervasoni was present in the stands and reportedly received the club’s complaints directly.

A protest without words

By refusing media interviews, Inter Milan delivered a silent but powerful protest.

The message from the Nerazzurri was clear: instead of fueling further controversy through public statements, the club believes the controversial moments from the match are enough for everyone to draw their own conclusions.