AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri received a red card during his team’s match against Como. Allegri explained that Como coach Cesc Fabregas sparked the incident that led to his dismissal.
Milan hosted Como at San Siro in a Serie A fixture on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Nico Paz scoring for Como and Rafael Leao answering for Milan.
The Milan vs Como match saw drama unfold in the second half. Allegri and a member of the Como coaching staff were both sent off by the referee in the 80th minute following a heated exchange on the touchline.
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Allegri detailed the cause of the sending off, accusing Fabregas of pulling on the shirt of Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers.
“I believe there was a foul on Saelemaekers during a counterattack, he was pulled back, I consider by Fabregas,” Allegri said, as reported by Football Italia. “If that’s allowed, then next time someone runs near me, I’ll go in with a sliding tackle.”
“Saelemaekers was angry, I went over to defend my player, then someone came towards me, but nothing really happened,” Allegri added.
🤡 | Cesc Fabregas (Como coach) pulls Saelemaekers’ shirt.
The Final Outcome: Not even a booking for Fabregas, but a red card for Max Allegri. 🤯
How can we compete in a league this badly officiated?
#️⃣ | #MilanComo 1-1pic.twitter.com/4x5qx0P2Uk
— Milan Xtra (@MilanXtra) February 18, 2026
Video footage shows Saelemaekers and two Como players contesting possession near the sideline in front of Fabregas. It’s not definitively clear whether Fabregas pulled or pushed Saelemaekers, but the Belgian international visibly reacted negatively.
Saelemaekers’ reaction then triggered a response from a Como coaching staff member, leading to a verbal altercation with Allegri. Both were subsequently ejected by the referee, while Fabregas escaped punishment.
(nds/pur)
