Gigio Donnarumma, despite being captain, was booked at the start of Spain-Italy. What the new referee protocol says for Euro 2024.
Gianluigi Donnarumma he was not only the protagonist of great saves at the start of Spain-Italy, but also of a refereeing episode. The PSG goalkeeper in fact he was booked after only a quarter of an hour of playor, with referee Slavko Vinčić punishing him for protesting. A situation that has fueled some controversy in light of the new refereeing rules adopted for the European Championships.
Why Donnarumma was booked in Spain-Italy
It all started from a contact between a Spain player and Di Lorenzo, who remained on the ground in pain. The referee allowed the game to continue, and then, realizing the blow to the head received by the Napoli full-back, stopped the game. A group of men formed around Vinčić, with the latter surprisingly admonishing captain Donnarumma who had asked for explanations about the referee’s failure to blow the whistle.
Donnarumma protests punished
The goalkeeper was in disbelief and complained on several occasions, also towards his bench. In fact, Gigio expressed perplexity about the provision, the result of what he said was a wrong choice. But why did Donnarumma protest for the yellow? The situation is linked to the refereeing innovations adopted in view of the European Championships.
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What the new referee protocol says for Euro 2024
In fact, the new protocol provides that only captains can protest and not all players. A linked choice to the desire to avoid excessive controversy on the pitch and encirclement of the referee. In the event that a non-captain player complains, an immediate yellow card would be issued for him.
The general director of referees, Rosetti, explained: “We ask captains to ensure that their teammates do not invade and surround the referee, allowing direct conversations so that the decision is conveyed in a timely and respectful manner. Any teammate who ignores his role as captain and/or who approaches the referee showing any sign of disrespect or dissent will be shown a yellow card.”.
Donnarumma punished with a warning despite the captain’s armband
But then why was Donnarumma, who is also captain, booked? In the regulation there is a specification regarding cases in which the goalkeeper takes on the role of captain: to avoid comings and goings from the goal, initially a contact person will be chosen among the outfield players who will act as the goalkeeper. Gigio was therefore punished and should have remained in goal.
In this case, however, the episode had occurred near the penalty area, a situation which therefore in terms of regulations would have allowed Donnarumma to go and protest. Furthermore, Gigio didn’t complain excessively. An excessive taxation on the part of the arbitrator.
