A contentious red card shown to Gift Orban has left his Italian Serie A club, Hellas Verona, fuming over officiating following their 2-1 defeat to Parma.
Verona opted to remain silent after the match as a form of protest against the refereeing, particularly the early dismissal of Orban in the 11th minute. The club’s communications officer told reporters that the team felt the decision was unjust not only to the squad but also to the fans and the city, according to ANSA.
The red card was issued by referee Pairetto after Orban reportedly reacted in an unruly manner to a denied foul. While the exact words spoken by the Nigerian striker remain undisclosed, the club believes the punishment was excessive. The final assessment will depend on the referee’s report and the subsequent ruling by the Sports Judge regarding Orban’s suspension.
The match itself started sharply, with Mandela Keita intercepting a back pass and feeding Adrian Bernabé, who smashed a half-volley from 20 metres to give Parma the lead just over three minutes in.
The early red card compounded Verona’s difficulties, leaving them with ten men for almost the entire match. Orban’s ejection came after he protested a foul, which the referee deemed inappropriate, immediately showing him the red card — a decision that has since sparked outrage within the club.
Hellas Verona now await the Sports Judge’s decision on the length of Orban’s suspension, while the club continues to express frustration over what it perceives as a major officiating injustice.
