Alleged racist chanting from a section of supporters overshadowed Sunday's disappointing goalless draw between Milan and Roma.
Early in the second half, referee Gianluca Rocchiwas forced to temporarily suspending proceedings due to the chanting from the sections of the crowd apparently attached to the visiting side.
Once Francesco Totti had appealed to the fans to end the chanting the game resumed, but Milan failed to break the deadlock meaning their hopes of UEFA Champions League football hang in the balance.
Both sides ended the game with 10 men, with Sulley Muntari being sent off for a bizarre case of dissent, while Totti received his marching orders for an elbow on Philippe Mexes deep into stoppage time.
Roma's hopes of qualifying for Europe now rest on beating arch-rivals Lazio in the Coppa Italia final, while Milan are two points ahead of Fiorentina in fourth place, as the league heads into its final round of fixtures.
Fiorentina did their part to keep the pressure on Milan by relegating Palermo with a 1-0 win. Luca Toni popped up to score the only goal of the game, sealing the fate of his former club nearly five minutes before half-time.
A low, drilled cross from Juan Cuadrado on the right found the veteran stiker Toni, who was left with a simple tap in from close range.
Palermo will be joined in Serie B next season by Siena, who lost 2-1 away to runners-up Napoli.
Siena's survival hopes were given a glimmer of hope after 36 minutes when they took a surprise lead through Fabrizio Grillo 10 minutes before half time, but were pegged back by Edinson Cavani's second-half strike.
A late goal in the last few moments of the game from Marek Hamsik sealed the points for Napoli, and added to Siena's misery.
Those results meant Genoa's safety was confirmed, as they secured a resolute 0-0 draw at home to a disappointing Inter.
Meanwhile, Antonio di Natale scored on either side of half-time to secure a 2-1 win for Udinese against Atalanta, keeping them on track for Europa League qualification.
Lazio kept their own slim hopes of European qualification alive with a 2-0 win at home to Sampdoria, with goals coming from Sergio Floccari and Antonio Candreva.
Elsewhere, goals from Saphir Taider and Davide Moscardelli handed Bologna the bragging rights over Parma in the Emilia derby, while Torino guaranteed their Serie A status thanks to a 1-1 draw at home to Chievo.