Ex Italian Referee Responds To Napoli Coach’s Outburst On Inter Milan Penalty Kick Controversy: “Referees Must Follow The Protocol” | OneFootball

Former Serie A referee Luca Marelli offers his take on Inter Milan’s much-debated spot-kick, replying to the stingy comments from Napoli coach Antonio Conte.

The Nerazzurri and the Partenopei shared the spoils in the top Serie A showdown on Sunday which pitted the reigning champions against the league leaders.

While the final score showed 1-1, Hakan Calhanolgu had the chance to win for the home side. But for the first time in his Inter career, the Turkiye international missed from the spot.

But even though the awarded penalty kick didn’t change the outcome, Conte was still livid with refereeing.

The Napoli coach insisted that Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s challenge on Denzel Dumfries was never a spot-kick.

He also wondered why the VAR didn’t intervene in this case. Conte’s remarks sparked a back-and-forth media skirmish between the two clubs.

For his part, reputable former referee Marelli explains that the VAR followed the protocol in this particular case.

Luca Marelli Weighs In On Inter Milan Vs Napoli Controversy & Antonio Conte Outburst

The 52-year-old notes that it’s not up to the referees to change the rules, but to apply them.

“The most important thing is to respect the rules,” explained Marelli in his interview with TV Play via FcInterNews.

“The referees must not come up with their own rules, but enforce the rules of the game. And the same goes for the VAR protocol. They must apply the one that is currently adopted.

“I might even agree with what Conte has to say regarding this sort of penalty incident. However, that would be a mere opinion.

“What I should be doing instead, is to explain how the current protocol works, as these are the rules that the referees must adhere to.”