Italy women's coach Andrea Soncin appeared to make an x-rated comment to the referee in his side's dramatic last-gasp Euro 2025 semi-final to England.
Soncin's side led going into the dying embers through Barbara Bonansea's first-half strike, but England's super sub Michelle Agyemang delivered another crucial equaliser - popping up in the 96th minute to force extra time.
Then, in the 117th minute, England were awarded a penalty when Emma Severini was penalised for grabbing hold of Beth Mead inside the area.
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Ivana Martincic pointed to the spot and after a VAR review and Chloe Kelly stepped up from 12 yards.
The Arsenal star saw her effort saved by Laura Giuliani but quickly tapped in the rebound to send England to a third consecutive final under Sarina Wiegman.
Soncin was furious with the decision but he had already received a caution by Martincic earlier in the game following Giuliani's yellow card for time-wasting in the 74th minute.
According to sport.virgilio.it, Soncin shouted "f*** you" and his outburst was caught on camera.
Speaking after the game, Soncin disputed the penalty call for "light" holding which ultimately cost his side a minute before spot-kicks and revealed he held discussions with the officials about the incident post-match.
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He then hinted that the penalty would not have been given at the other end.
"I saw it very quickly, I spoke to the assistants who were reviewing it and they were holding each other back," Soncin said.
"I’d be tempted to ask… would it have been called in the other area at that point in the match? I don’t know.
"It’s a penalty that could or could not be given because the holding was mutual and light."
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Italy captain Cristiana Girelli was also critical of the referee's decision and her performance on the whole, commenting: "Then, I can say, when the level rises this much, you also need top-notch refereeing.
"When you make important decisions, you have to keep a cool head. When you award a penalty like that, at least go and review it.
"But it’s not an excuse, we could have doubled our lead in the final minutes and the match would have ended there. I’m proud of what we did; these are tears of sadness and pride."
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England will take on the winner of the other semi-final between Germany and Spain, their two last two final opponents, with a 5pm kick-off at St-Jakob's Park in Basel on Sunday.
The final, which is a record-breaking fifth in a row for Wiegman, will be shown on both BBC One and ITV1.
Topics: Italy, England, Womens Football
Josh Lawless