Italian Refereeing Expert Argues Penalty In Inter Milan 2-1 Fiorentina Serie A Clash ‘Not Punishable’ | OneFootball

Italian refereeing expert Luca Marelli feels that the handball penalty in today’s Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Fiorentina was “doubtful” and “not punishable.”

Marelli reacted to the first half penalty for La Viola speaking on Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInter1908.

Fiorentina were awarded a penalty towards the end of the first half of this evening’s Serie A match at the San Siro.

The reason for the penalty was a handball by Inter Milan wingback Matteo Darmian.

Fiorentina defender Robin Gosens headed a cross towards the goal. And Darmian was not able to get his arm out of the way, with the ball striking his wrist.

Initially, referee Federico La Penna did not point to the spot.

However, the Fiorentina players appealed for the spot kick.

Marelli: Penalty In Inter Milan 2-1 Fiorentina Clash “Doubtful, Not Punishable”

Eventually, the VAR advised La Penna to go to the VAR and have a second look at the incident.

The official didn’t need long, and reversed his decision. He awarded the penalty to Fiorentina.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 06: Matteo Darmian of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on November 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Rolando Mandragora calmly dispatched from the spot to make the scoreline level heading into halftime.

However, Inter’s players made no secret that they felt the decision was unjust.

Darmian had virtually no time to react to the header that was coming towards his wrist. Therefore, there were big doubts over whether it could have constituted a deliberate handball.

Italian refereeing expert Marelli said that “I have doubts.”

“Darmian’s arm is quite wide from his body,” noted the refereeing expert.

“However, Gosens’s header comes at him from very close.”

“It’s doubtful for it to be considered punishable,” Marelli argued. “He’s not expecting the ball to come at him, the header is from half a metre away.”

As far as why the officials gave the penalty, Marelli suggested that “They evidently thought that the arm was wide of the body.”

“Unlike what I thought, since he was bringing it towards his body.”