Bastoni apologises for Kalulu red-card celebration as he says threats followed diving backlash

Alessandro Bastoni
February 2026

Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni apologised for celebrating Pierre Kalulu’s red card and said he has received death threats after replays showed him going down deceptively in the incident that led to the second booking. Kalulu was dismissed for a second yellow after Bastoni fell in anticipation of contact. The controversy intensified because Bastoni celebrated the decision and the moment became a wider flashpoint about refereeing standards.