Parma coach Fabio Cuesta erupted in frustration after his team's dramatic 3-2 loss to Roma, accusing the officials of a series of costly errors that swung the match in the visitors' favor. Speaking to Sky Italia after the game, Cuesta did not hold back, stating, "The whole stadium and all of Italy saw what happened. Parma deserves respect."
The controversy centers on three key incidents during the stoppage time of the Serie A clash at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. First, Roma's equalizer came after a handball by Gianluca Mancini that went unpunished. Second, Parma was denied a promising attack when a foul was incorrectly called on forward Mateo Pellegrino. Finally, Roma was awarded a penalty for a minimal contact that Cuesta described as "too soft" for a spot-kick.
The match had seen Parma take a 2-0 lead before Roma fought back to 2-2. The penalty, converted by Donyell Malen in the 95th minute, secured all three points for the visitors. Cuesta was particularly incensed about the penalty decision, which was initially called as a foul for Parma by referee Luca Chiffi before VAR intervened and overturned the call. "I am the first to be honest—when there was a possible penalty against Napoli, I said there was nothing. Today, it's obvious," Cuesta added.
The defeat leaves Parma in 12th place, nine points clear of the relegation zone but with little to play for in the final weeks of the season. However, the manner of the loss has reignited debates about officiating standards in Serie A. Cuesta's outburst underscores the growing frustration among smaller clubs who feel marginalized by the league's elite.
Parma, a club with a rich history including European success in the 1990s, has often been involved in tight matches this season. This result, however, carries extra sting because it came against a direct rival for mid-table positioning. Roma, fighting for a Europa League spot, benefited from the decisions, but Cuesta insisted his team's performance deserved better.
"I am very proud of the boys, the performance, and the energy the fans gave us," Cuesta said. "But what happened is obvious. The dynamics from 2-1 to 2-3 were very clear—not just in our area but also in theirs. The foul on Pellegrino? Too obvious..."
Beyond the controversy, Cuesta found time to praise midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, who impressed in the defeat. "He has grown a lot and gave us more quality in our game. Without doubt, he helped with progression, ball recovery, and reading moments. We hope he can help more in the remaining matches," Cuesta noted.
From a league perspective, the incident may prompt discussions about VAR consistency. The handball by Mancini—where the ball struck his arm in the build-up to the equalizer—was widely criticized by pundits. Similarly, the penalty decision, which appeared soft on replay, has drawn scrutiny. Cuesta's comments reflect a broader sentiment that Parma, as a club with a storied past, deserves fair treatment.
As the season winds down, Parma will look to finish strongly, but the emotional toll of this loss could linger. The club's fans, who created a loud atmosphere at the Tardini, were left furious by the officiating. Cuesta's post-match interview has become a rallying cry, with many supporters echoing his call for respect.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.