Okereke: Nigeria star sent off from bench as Fabregas’ Como hammer Cremonese to seal Serie A relegation

Former Nigeria youth international David Okereke endured a disastrous end to the 2025-26 Serie A season after being sent off from the substitutes’ bench during Cremonese’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Como 1907 on Sunday night, Afrik-Foot reports.

The dramatic result at the Stadio Giovanni Zini confirmed Cremonese’s relegation to Serie B only one year after returning to the Italian top flight, while Cesc Fàbregas guided Como to a historic UEFA Champions League qualification place.

Como took control of the contest in the 35th minute when Jesús Rodríguez fired toward goal and saw his effort take a heavy deflection off Alberto Grassi before beating the goalkeeper. The visitors doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart as Rodríguez turned provider, sliding a pass into the path of Anastasios Douvikas, who drilled home his 14th league goal of the campaign.

Cremonese briefly found hope in the 54th minute after veteran striker Jamie Vardy was brought down inside the area. Federico Bonazzoli converted the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit and lift the home crowd inside the packed stadium.

However, the game completely unraveled for the hosts midway through the second half. Referee Fabio Maresca pointed to the spot again in the 70th minute after another collision inside the Cremonese penalty area, sparking furious protests from players and staff.

Okereke and Cremonese’s three red cards in two minutes

The chaotic scenes quickly turned ugly as Cremonese lost their discipline at the worst possible moment of the season. Alberto Grassi was shown a red card first in the 70th minute for dissent, before Milan Đurić and Okereke were both dismissed moments later following continued protests toward the officials from the touchline.

Okereke never even stepped onto the pitch. The Nigerian forward was sent off directly from the bench after angrily confronting the referee over the controversial decision. His dismissal summed up a frustrating and difficult campaign under coach Marco Giampaolo.

Lucas Da Cunha then punished the ten-man hosts by converting the penalty in the 73rd minute before adding another goal seven minutes later to complete Como’s emphatic 4-1 victory.

The red card capped a miserable season filled with injuries, limited opportunities and long spells outside the first-team picture for Okereke. After returning from his loan spell at Gaziantep FK, the former Club Brugge striker struggled to regain a regular role and managed only 10 Serie A appearances, with just three starts.

Despite scoring twice late in the campaign including goals against Fiorentina and Pisa, the 27-year-old could not help Cremonese avoid relegation. Instead, his season ended in frustration as Como celebrated one of the greatest nights in the club’s history under Fabregas.