Bologna head coach Domenico Tedesco has been handed a two-match Serie A suspension after his confrontation with officials following the 2-2 draw against Sassuolo, while Atalanta midfielder Gianluca Gaetano has received a one-game ban for insulting the referee.
The Italian league’s disciplinary commission issued its latest sanctions after Matchday 3, creating fresh problems for two clubs still trying to find consistency at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign.
For Cambodian football fans following Serie A, the decisions are particularly interesting because both Bologna and Atalanta now face important fixtures without key figures on the touchline or in midfield.
🔴 Bologna Coach Tedesco Suspended for Two Matches
Domenico Tedesco’s difficult start to life at Bologna has taken another frustrating turn.
The Bologna coach was sent off during the dramatic 2-2 draw with Sassuolo on September 6. His team eventually rescued a point through Artem Dovbyk’s stoppage-time equaliser, but the match also ended with disciplinary consequences for the head coach.
Tedesco was dismissed after protesting during the closing stages. According to the disciplinary report, he subsequently directed a seriously disrespectful remark towards the referee after his sending-off and repeated the behaviour inside the stadium’s changing-room area.
As a result, the disciplinary commission imposed:
- Two-match Serie A suspension
- €5,000 fine
- Suspension from the Bologna technical area during the affected fixtures
The decision means Tedesco will miss Bologna’s upcoming league matches against Napoli and Torino, unless the club’s planned appeal changes the punishment.
Tedesco had already apologised
The incident came during a match in which Bologna were desperately trying to avoid a third consecutive league defeat.
Sassuolo twice took the lead through Josh Doig and Vasilije Adžić, while Roberto Piccoli briefly brought Bologna level. Dovbyk then struck in the 91st minute to secure Bologna’s first point of the Serie A season.
Tedesco later acknowledged that his reaction had gone too far.
“I apologise to everyone for the sending-off,” Tedesco said after the match, admitting that he needed to remain calm.
🟡 For Bologna, the timing could hardly be worse. The club are still searching for their first victory of the campaign, and now their coach will have to watch two difficult fixtures from the sidelines.
🟡 Bologna President Joey Saputo Also Punished
The disciplinary action was not limited to Tedesco.
Bologna president Joey Saputo has been suspended until September 30, 2026, after the authorities ruled that he directed offensive language towards match officials following the Sassuolo game.
The disciplinary report stated that Saputo’s behaviour continued from the pitch into the tunnel leading towards the dressing rooms.
This means Bologna will be dealing with significant leadership disruption at a time when the team is already under pressure.
The club has indicated that it is prepared to appeal the sanctions, potentially seeking reductions to the punishments.
⚫ Gianluca Gaetano Receives One-Match Ban
Atalanta midfielder Gianluca Gaetano has also been punished following his red card against Roma.
Atalanta suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Roma on September 5 after conceding twice late in the match. Mario Hermoso equalised before Matías Soulé completed Roma’s comeback deep into stoppage time.
Gaetano was shown a red card after the final whistle.
The disciplinary commission subsequently gave him a one-match suspension and €10,000 fine for insulting the referee.
Interestingly, Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri disputed the accusation, defending his midfielder and suggesting that Gaetano had not actually insulted the referee.
Despite that defence, the official punishment means Gaetano will miss Atalanta’s next Serie A fixture.
🧠 What the Suspensions Mean for the Clubs
Bologna face another test without Tedesco
Bologna’s immediate challenge is significant.
The Rossoblu started the season with defeats against Lazio and Atalanta before finally collecting their first point against Sassuolo.
Their next league assignment against Napoli already represents a major test. Doing so without Tedesco on the touchline adds another layer of difficulty.
The coach’s tactical influence and communication from the technical area will be replaced by his coaching staff, while Bologna must also cope with the absence of president Saputo from matchday and club activities during his suspension.
Atalanta lose another midfield option
For Atalanta, Gaetano’s absence reduces their midfield options ahead of their next league fixture.
The midfielder had been involved in the opening three Serie A matches and was sent off after the final whistle against Roma. His suspension now leaves Maurizio Sarri with another selection decision to make.
The good news for Atalanta is that the club have several experienced midfield options who can potentially fill the gap.
🇰🇭 Why Cambodian Serie A Fans Should Watch Closely
For Cambodian football fans who follow Italian football, these disciplinary decisions could have an impact beyond a single weekend.
Serie A is often decided by fine margins, particularly when teams are trying to recover from slow starts. A missing coach can influence tactical adjustments, substitutions and in-game communication, while losing a midfielder can change the balance of an entire lineup.
Bologna’s situation is especially intriguing because their next challenge is against Napoli, a side beginning an important Champions League campaign under Massimiliano Allegri.
With Tedesco suspended and Bologna still searching for their first victory, the Napoli match could become an important early-season test of the squad’s character.
⚽ Tedesco Ban Adds More Pressure on Bologna
Domenico Tedesco’s two-match suspension and Gianluca Gaetano’s one-game ban underline how quickly disciplinary incidents can complicate a Serie A campaign.
Bologna at least have the confidence of finally getting a point on the board after Dovbyk’s late equaliser against Sassuolo. However, losing their head coach for two matches means the club must find a way to maintain momentum without Tedesco on the touchline.
For Atalanta, Gaetano’s absence comes after an agonising late defeat to Roma, making Sarri’s team equally keen to respond quickly.
The 2026/27 Serie A season is only three matches old, but both clubs already have plenty to overcome. 🔥
