Federico La Penna

Federico La Penna, born on August 7, 1983 in Rome, is an Italian referee who has been present in the Serie A for several years. He began his refereeing career in 2000 and, after moving up through the lower categories, made his debut in the top category in 2013.

La Penna has officiated numerous matches in Serie A, earning a reputation for his refereeing style. However, his career has not been without controversies. In 2021, he was suspended due to his involvement in a scandal related to the manipulation of referee reports, affecting his position in Italian refereeing.

Regarding his style, La Penna is known for being a referee who allows fluid gameplay, intervening only when necessary. This philosophy has earned him both praise and criticism, depending on the circumstances of the match.

A notable match in his career was the one between Atalanta and AC Milan in December 2024. After the match, Milan's coach, Paulo Fonseca, publicly criticized La Penna's refereeing, leading to both Fonseca and the club being fined for comments damaging the referee's reputation.