Why Juventus defender Kalulu was sent off vs. Inter as VAR could not intervene

Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu received two yellow cards in the first half of an away game at Inter, and VAR could not intervene when he was given his marching orders.

Juventus visit Inter at San Siro on Saturday, but will have to play the second half down to ten men following a red card shown to Pierre Kalulu in the opening 45 minutes.

Why Kalulu was sent off in Inter vs. Juventus

The French defender was given a second yellow card late in the first half, but replays indicated he made no contact with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, who seemed to go down too easily in an attempt to draw the booking.

Kalulu and Juventus players vehemently protested and the Bianconeri defender even asked to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, but VAR could not intervene, given that technology can only be used in case of a straight red card and not when a second yellow card leads to a sending off.

The first half ended in a 1-1 draw with Juventus’ defender Andrea Cambiaso scoring a goal and an own goal.

Football Italia is among the accredited media at San Siro. You can follow live updates on the liveblog.

Il secondo giallo per #Kalulu è inesistente: il francese sfiora a malapena il braccio di #Bastoni, che crolla a terra, mentre le gambe restano ben distanti
Incredibile come non possa intervenire da regolamento il Var#InterJuventus #Inter #Juve pic.twitter.com/8EY5FfQieM

— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) February 14, 2026

Juventus are down to ten men as Pierre Kalulu is sent off after picking up his second yellow card pic.twitter.com/LYzerA9uRV

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 14, 2026