But Robben’s supporting foot isn’t that easy to take down.
Bernulin probably used all his strength at that time.
In the slow-motion replay, you can see that Bernulin’s left arm was bent and exerting force, his biceps bulging.
This is called "not intentional"?
That’s absolutely unreasonable.
The main referee kept shaking his head, indicating there’s no need to say more, the decision is made, arguing is useless.
"This shouldn’t even be counted as a penalty!" Gianluigi Audi was completely losing it, "Even if you want to award a penalty, Bernulin shouldn’t be given a red card! If you’re going to rule like this, then France’s third goal shouldn’t count at all!"
"That was an offside! Without that offside, Bernulin could’ve let Robben shoot! Without that offside, what’s it to us if they get a penalty? You trash referee! Do you even have a referee license? Your decisions are completely unfair! You didn’t make up for us when you should have made up for Italy Team!"
"This could have been called without a penalty, this could have been called without a red card! Just like how you didn’t make any call on that offside goal earlier! You bastard! You’ve ruined the hope of Italian Football!"
The Italy Team players were all stunned.
Including Lu Yang.
Because Audi...
Is he crazy?
Yes!
Audi admits he’s going crazy!
Italy was leading one to zero!
Then tied.
Leading two to one, with only two minutes left in the match.
Then tied again!
In extra time, trailing two to three because of an offside goal!
From that moment, Audi’s mindset started falling apart.
He admits it, he can’t afford to lose!
Which player over thirty-five can afford to lose?
If this was the Champions League, he could accept it, because he has a Champions League win.
But the European Cup... he doesn’t have it!
With the help of Perrotta and Lu Yang, Italy made a miraculous comeback.
But now...
Why couldn’t this damn referee just turn a blind eye!?
Audi wasn’t trying to take advantage of France Team.
But France Team already had a goal they shouldn’t have!
So shouldn’t it be right for them to lose a penalty they should have had?
In fact, France Team has still gained twenty-five percent risk!
It’s not Audi asking for too much, it’s Italy Team being too disadvantaged today!
And the one causing all this, was this main referee in front of them.
The penalty he gave to France Team, was it even a penalty?
He simply wanted to award the entire De Laurant Cup to France Team!
So... in the Italy Team, the person least likely to have a problem, the most stable person, Italy Team’s first captain, the backbone of Italy Team, Gianluigi Audi... at the most critical moment, said something that should never be uttered on the field no matter what.
The main referee was thoroughly enraged by Audi’s "insult".
Because Audi was basically accusing him of orchestrating a fixed match!
This is the greatest accusation against a main referee!
If this statement gets out after the match, it would surely spark intense discussion.
Not just this main referee, even UEFA would be embroiled in it.
So...
"No!" Lu Yang rushed towards the main referee, immediately stopping the referee’s hand already reaching into his pocket, "You can’t do this, you’ve already awarded France Team a penalty, and have dismissed one of our center-backs."
"But you can’t dismiss our goalkeeper too!"
"He’s already carrying a yellow card!"
Lu Yang reminded the main referee.
After France Team scored in extra time, Audi had received a yellow card for excessive protest.
Now...
The main referee was visibly stunned for a moment, he indeed had forgotten about this.
If two Italian players were sent off consecutively, it would seem a bit...
No!
The offside call was his mistake, the main referee shook his head, he would voluntarily admit this mistake after the match, and even apologize, offering anything he could as compensation.
Even if it meant quitting the profession!
But that mistaken call shouldn’t affect subsequent judgments.
He couldn’t let the mistakes snowball.
Audi’s actions directly warrant a red card.
He is the main referee, he must do what he has to do.
So, the main referee pushed away Lu Yang’s hand, and showed a yellow card to Audi.
Then, he pulled out a red card from his back pocket.
Two yellows turn into one red.
Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Audi, was sent off!
The entire stadium erupted.
The Italy Team players surged towards the main referee, unable to contain their inner anger anymore.
Lu Yang desperately stopped his teammates.
While holding them back, he shouted madly around him: "F*ck!"
"F*ck!"
"F*ck! F*ck your whole family!"
Italy Team players were halted by Lu Yang, then watched as Lu Yang hurled one heartfelt curse after another at the main referee.
When a person is extremely furious, they can’t organize so many words.
A single "F*ck" was all Lu Yang had.
He didn’t know who exactly he was cursing, he wanted his teammates to just quiet down, so no one else gets carded!
He wanted the France Team players to stop provoking, stop being smug after getting the advantage!
He wanted this main referee to go and train himself thoroughly after the match, he had ruined a classic game!
Lu Yang’s shout, even from a distance from the microphone, was clearly heard in various broadcast footage.
The loudness of his voice was evident.