Inter Milan Denied ‘Blatant’ Handball Penalty In 0-4 Serie A Win Vs Lecce | OneFootball

Inter Milan were denied a “blatant” handball penalty in yesterday’s 4-0 Serie A win away to Lecce.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They argue that Lecce defender Federico Baschirotta had clearly handled in his own area early on.

In the end, penalty controversy was hardly the main theme of yesterday’s match at the Stadio Via del Mare.

Inter Milan were able to score four goals without reply to take the three points and respond to Napoli in the Serie A title race.

Moreover, the Nerazzurri did end up with a spot kick. That was for a foul by Giallorossi keeper Wladimiro Falcone on Davide Frattesi in the second half.

Therefore, it was not really the end of the world for Inter not to receive an early penalty.

However, argues the Gazzetta, they should have.

Inter Denied “Blatant” Handball Penalty In Serie A Win Vs Lecce

In the opening couple of minutes, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez appealed for a penalty.

The Argentine looked absolutely adamant that there was a handball by Lecce defender Federico Baschirotto. He gesticulated towards referee Livio Marinelli.

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 1: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 1, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, the official waved play on. He had not spotted any handball.

Then, the VAR declined to intervene and tell Marinelli to have a second look at the incident in his monitor.

But the Gazzetta argue that this was clearly an error.

There was a good reason for Martinez’s protestations. The Inter captain had tried to play the ball to a teammate, and it had hit the arm of defender Baschirotto.

The replays clearly showed this. And the Lecce player’s arm was outstretched in a deliberate movement.

Therefore, the Gazzetta argue, it was mystifying that neither the on-pitch referee nor the VAR saw the incident as a penalty.