By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Gift Orban was sent off just 11 minutes into Hellas Verona’s Serie A clash over the weekend, sparking protests from the club but with no verified evidence supporting viral claims that officials accused referees of injustice against the city and its fans.
The Nigerian striker received a straight red card during Verona’s 2–1 defeat to Parma, forcing his side to play nearly the entire match with 10 men and significantly impacting the outcome.
In the aftermath, Hellas Verona expressed frustration with the refereeing and reportedly staged a media silence as a form of protest against the decision. However, the club later moved to clarify another controversy, firmly denying that Orban personally criticised the referee on social media following his dismissal.
The sending-off generated widespread debate, with reports indicating the dismissal stemmed from Orban’s reaction during an on-field incident, although the referee’s official report is expected to determine the precise reason.
Despite strong reactions online, there has been no confirmed or verifiable statement from Hellas Verona executives claiming the alleged injustice was directed at the club, its supporters, or the city itself.
The incident leaves Verona waiting on disciplinary confirmation while the club considers its next steps following a decision that proved pivotal in the match and added to ongoing scrutiny of refereeing standards in Serie A.
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