Italian Refereeing Expert Argues Inter Milan Should’ve Had ‘Clear Penalty’ In Derby Draw Vs AC Milan | OneFootball

Italian refereeing expert Luca Mareilli feels that Inter Milan should have had a “clear penalty” against AC Milan in the derby.

Speaking on Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInter1908, Marelli argued there was no doubt that Strahinja Pavlovic’s challenge on Marcus Thuram was a foul and a spot kick.

In the end, Inter and Milan had to settle for a point apiece.

It was a dramatic finale which saw Nerazzurri defender Stefan de Vrij score in stoppage time to salvage a result.

But prior to that, Inter had been knocking on the door for all of the second half.

Inter hit the post on three occasions. There were innumerable crosses and corner kicks into the box.

And then there was also a big penalty appeal from the Nerazzurri.

This came after Inter striker Marcus Thuram was through on goal, in a foot race with Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic.

Thuram was able to get himself between Pavlovic and the ball. But the Serbian former Red Bull Salzburg defender bundled him over in the penalty area.

Marelli: “Inter Milan Denied A Clear Penalty Vs AC Milan”

In the meantime, Milan defender Theo Hernandez had also gotten back to cover. The Frenchman slid in to clear the ball from danger.

Referee Daniele Chiffi did not give a penalty for the incident.

FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 5: Referee Daniele Chiffi gestures during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 5, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, subsequent replays showed a tangle of legs between Marcus Thuram and Pavlovic.

The Milan defender quite clearly appeared to have tripped the Inter striker.

And Italian refereeing expert Luca Marelli argued that “The decision was, for me, not correct.”

“Theo Hernandez’s slide tackle is perfectly good,” he continued.

“But what wasn’t was Pavlovic’s contact on Thuram,” Marelli said. “It was a careless foul, the contact is clearly evident, and in my opinion it was a penalty.”

As far as why VAR did not intervene to award Inter a penalty, Marelli mused “good question.”

“All the elements for VAR to intervene were there, he argued.