Marco Serra has been dismissed from the list of referees for next season’s Serie A and B after a series of scandals involving AS Roma, Jose Mourinho, and AC Milan. While Marco Serra will be turning 41 in September and is still within the age limit of refereeing, he’s been dismissed by the AIA (Italian Referees Association) for ‘justified technical reasons’.
Serie A referee, Marco Serra. Source: Getty This comes after numerous problems, the most dramatic of which include blowing the whistle for a Milan foul rather than giving the advantage, meaning that the Junior Messias goal against Spezia could not be allowed even with the intervention of VAR. To make matters worse, moments later Spezia ran up the other end and scored the winning goal. Serra was in the headlines again last season as a fourth official when he got into a row with Roma coach Mourinho on the touchline during a game with Cremonese. Mourinho was sent off, but furiously insisted he had been insulted by Serra. Although the disciplinary commission did find Serra had been ‘unprofessional’ in his behaviour with Mourinho, he avoided punishment at the time due to the late filing of paperwork, while the coach was handed a two-match touchline ban.
Jose Mourinho confronting Marco Serra. Source: Getty Mourinho had threatened to take legal action against Serra claiming he had said something “unjustifiable”. AS Roma finished the season in sixth place, securing another Europa League berth, while Cremonese finished with five wins, but were unable to climb any higher than 19th in the Serie A table, confirming their relegation for the new season. The recent dismissal is a rare victory for Mourinho, whose antics on the bench last season means he will serve both domestic and European touchline bans after his three red cards in Serie A and his taunting of Anthony Taylor in the Europa League final.
Marco Asensio kissing the Champions League trophy. Source: Getty Asensio decided to leave Real Madrid after a season in which he had his best numbers, scoring 12 goals and assisting six. He is said not to be satisfied with his role in the team and wants more prominence as well as a higher salary. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool have also shown interest in the Spanish footballer. He signed for Madrid in 2014 from Mallorca and was sent back there on loan, before heading to Espanyol for the 2015/16 campaign. 
Marco Asensio at a match for Real Madrid. Source: Getty Upon his return, Asensio started and scored on his Madrid debut in their 3-2 Super Cup victory over Sevilla, the first of 16 trophies he would win at the club. In 285 appearances for Madrid, Asensio has scored 61 goals and assisted another 32 across all competitions. 
Silva was sent off during the game following a 72nd-minute incident that resulted in United being awarded a penalty by referee Chris Kavanagh. Speaking to reporters after the match, the Fulham coach had said; “Our story with Chris Kavanagh this season has been tough for us. Unfortunately, we have been very unlucky with him this season. Many moments. It is difficult to understand some of the decisions. We had that West Ham game away from home [in October]. We lost the game with two clear handball goals and it was Chris Kavanagh in that moment. Today, everyone saw what is happening in this game. It is difficult for them to not look for these things.” 
The Football Association has now alleged that Silva’s post-match comments “constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match official, and/or bring the game into disrepute”. 45-year-old Silva has until Wednesday, 29 March to provide a response. This is coming after the Fulham coach was handed a first charge of abusive behaviour towards match officials during the 3-1 quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford. It was alleged that he threw a water bottle in the direction of an assistant referee. Silva faces a minimum of a significant fine in addition to a likely three-game ban for his touchline behaviour, although FA beaks could add an extra game to the suspension.